Here are the BCP confessions that we’re thinking, talking about as we meet on 4th October:
[lex orandi lex credendi lex vivendi: What we pray is what we believe is what we live]
The General Confession for Morning & Evening Prayer
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the thinking and desires of our own hearts; and we have offended against your holy Laws.
We have left undone those things which we should have done; and we have done things we ought not to have done. And there is no health in us.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we are miserable sinners. Spare us, who confess our faults; and restore us, who are penitent according to Your promises, which you have declared to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake, that we may, from now on, live a godly, righteous and sober [i.e. serious, clear-headed, self-controlled] life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The General Confession for Communion:
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things and Judge of all people:
We acknowledge and lament our manifold [a multitude, and of different kinds] sins and wickedness, which we, consistently and most grievously have committed, by thought, word and deed, against your Divine Majesty.
We have provoked your wrath and indignation against us, and in this you are most just.
We do earnestly repent, from the depths of our being we are sorry for what we do wrong. Even remembering them now breaks our heart. The burden of our sinfulness is intolerable and beyond what we can bear.
Have mercy on us, most merciful Father. For your son, our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that from now on we may serve and please You in a newness of life, to the glory and honour of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
(If you really want to go to town, get hold of a BCP and read through the service of ‘Commination, Or Denouncing of God’s Anger and Judgements Against Sinners’. Traditionally this was a service that would have been used by the Church on the first day of Lent. I warn you though - it’ll make your hair stand on end).
There is a modernised and abridged version available here: https://bcp2020.co.uk/a-commination/
