The Act of Contrition

The Act of Contrition, a good thing to know,
And pray it quite often, wherever you go.
Confessing your sins before men here on earth,
Preparing to go to the land of new birth.

So often we think of ourselves as quite right.
Not so, if we look at our conscience each night.
And see that the Lord in our life is a need,
To free us from selfishness, envy, and greed.

It’s easy to find someone much worse than me.
And no one is perfect. It just cannot be.
So why should we fret over everyday sin?
The Lord doesn’t care. He will still let me in.

Presumption is wicked, abhorrent you see,
To one who on Calvary suffered for me.
The standard was set on that rocky old hill,
That Friday the savior of all we did kill.

Not one of us righteous, not one of us good.
All earning death, but in our place he stood.
So repent of your sins, be happy to know,
For all of our sins, precious mercy He shows.