Prayer: John of Damascus

O sovereign Lord Jesus Christ our God, who alone has authority to forgive sins, overlook in your goodness and love all my offenses whether committed with knowledge or in ignorance, and make me worthy to receive your divine, glorious, spotless, and life-giving mysteries, not for punishment, nor for an increase of sins, but for purification and sanctification and as a pledge of the life and kingdom to come, as a protection and help, and for the destruction of enemies, and for the blotting out of my many transgressions. For you are a God of mercy and compassion and love, and to you we send up the glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever.