Forgiveness

Prayer for Forgiveness

Merciful God,
I have not always been the person I intended to be.

I have spoken words I wish I could unsay.
I have made choices I am not proud of.
I have hurt people I love,
and sometimes people I do not even know.

I come to you not with excuses
but with honesty:
I need your forgiveness.

And in receiving it, help me also to forgive —
myself, first, with the same mercy you extend to me,
and others, who have also fallen short.

Wash me clean.
Let me start again.

Amen.