Confident in Your Unfathomable Mercy

　　O Lord Jesus Christ, you who forgave the sins of the paralytic before you let him walk again, I pray that my six months of retreat may make me more aware of your forgiving presence in my life and less concerned about performing well in the eyes of my world.
　　Let me recognize you at that virginal point in the depth of my heart where you dwell and heal me. Let me experience you in that center of my being from which you want to teach and guide me.
　　Let me know you as my loving brother who holds nothing—not even my worst sins—against me, but who wants to touch me in a gentle embrace.
　　Take away the many fears, suspicions, and doubts by which I prevent you from being my Lord, and give me the courage and freedom to appear naked and vulnerable in the light of your presence, confident in your unfathomable mercy.
　　~ Henri J.M. Nouwen, A Cry For Mercy.