I Repent

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1. I search my heart these somber days,
these forty somber days of Lent.
I search for sins abiding there.
I name them now, and I repent.
I repent.

2. For every loveless deed I did
to satisfy a selfish whim,
and for each time a friend in need
sought help and I rejected them,
I repent.

3. For every angry word I said
that shattered someone’s tender heart,
and for the words I failed to speak
though justice asked I do my part,
I repent.

4. For times when ego ruled the day,
my head held high in foolish pride,
and for the thoughts of worthlessness
and self-contempt in which I hide,
I repent.

5. For days when I gave in to fears
that caged me in their brutal hold,
and for the days I forged ahead
without a prayer, too brash and bold,
I repent.

6. For when I craved what others had
and grumbled in ungrateful spite,
for when I sought excessiveness,
indulging every appetite,
I repent.

7. For every time I took the road
of ease when there was work to do,
and for the times I worked too much,
neglecting family, church, and you,
I repent.

8. For all the sins that I can name,
and those I did in ignorance,
and for the times I saw no sin,
deceived by my self-righteousness,
I repent.

9. For brazen acts that brought me shame,
those deeds that all the world could see,
and for the crimes I covered well,
my secret dark iniquities,
I repent.

10. I search my heart these somber days,
these forty somber days of Lent.
I search for sins abiding there.
I name them now, and I repent.
I repent.

© 2018 Laurie F. Gauger