Prayer of Confession – John Calvin

O Lord, with heartfelt sorrow we repent and deplore our offenses.
We condemn ourselves and our evil ways,
with true penitence,
entreating that your grace may relieve our distress.
Be pleased to have compassion on us,
O most gracious God, Father of all mercies,
for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
And as you remove our guilt and our pollution,
grant us the daily increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit,
that acknowledging from our inmost hearts
our own unrighteousness,
we may be touched with sorrow
that shall work true repentance,
and that, mortifying all sins within us,
your Spirit may produce the fruits of
holiness and righteousness
well-pleasing in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
(John Calvin, 1542)