Penitential Stanzas (Tone 7)
Gerald Largent
Like the Prodigal I come and fall before You, O Lord; accept me as one of Your hired servants, and have mercy on me, O Compassionate One!
As the man who fell among thieves and was wounded, I have fallen, and my soul is bruised by my many sins. To whom can I, the guilty one, run, if not to You, the Only Merciful Physician of our souls? Pour out Your great mercy on me, O God!
O Savior, sinner that I am, do not cut me down like the barren fig tree! But grant me for a long year forgiveness, watering my soul with tears of repentance, that I may bring forth acts of mercy as fruit for You!
Since You are the Sun of Righteousness, enlighten and guide the hearts of those who cry out to You: O Lord, glory to You!