ON you we call, Lord God, all-wise, all-surveying, holy, the only true Sovereign.
ON you we call, Lord God, all-wise, all-surveying, holy, the only true Sovereign. You created the universe, you watch over all that exists. Those that he in darkness, overshadowed by death, you guide into the right road, the safe road. Your will is that all men should be saved and come to knowledge of the truth.
With one voice we offer you praise and thanksgiving; full-hearted, full-throated we sing you the hymn you have a right to at this hour. In your mercy you called to us (holy the calling!), taught us and trained us, gave understanding, wisdom, truth to us, life eternal.
You bought us back with the pure and precious blood of your only Son, freed us from lies and error, from bitter enslavement, released us from the Devil’s clutches and gave us the glory of freedom.
We were dead and you renewed the life of our souls and bodies in the Spirit.
We were soiled and you made us quite spotless again.
We pray you, merciful Father, God from whom all encouragement comes, give us strength to act as befits men with such a vocation, such calling to worship, such newness of life.
We mean to observe the sacred commands of the divine law; we long to come closer to you, closer today, long to have light from you, light to know you and serve you.
We pray you, give us the strength to do all this with a will.
Do not think of the sins we have committed or of those we still commit.
Put out of your mind the failings we give way to night and day.
Do not impute our offenses to us, whether we did them on purpose or whether we could not help them. Remember, Lord, that men are apt to make slips; we are a spineless race, given to blundering: think of our build, our limitations.
Our skins may be sound, but there are sores underneath.
O God, you are well disposed to us: give us the strength of your support. Give us encouragement; give the light that goes with it. Make us live by the dogmas of the faith preached by your holy apostles and the high teaching of the Gospels of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
May we not be content only to hear and to speak of them but behave and act as they bid us, for then our conduct will deserve reward.
Teach us to look upwards, to seek out and probe the heavenly, not the earthly.
If that is our attitude and if you act in us, what glory for your power, all-holy, omnipotent, worthy of all praise; glory through Jesus Christ, your beloved, with the Holy Spirit, now and throughout the ages. Amen.
- Ouchmounen Papyrus
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