The First Step to Conversion

of the flesh) [or spent it.] I have sought myself (and not You) in my own self-lust: now I have become a mockery (in my selfishness), and am naked and bare: my shame stands before Your eyes, I cannot hide it: Your judgment awaits me: what shall I say before You, You who are a Judge of the whole world? I have nothing more that I can set before You: here I stand before You naked and bare, and fall (before Your countenance) to the ground, and complain to You of my misery, and flee to Your great mercy: even though I am not worthy of it, yet take me into Your death, and let me, in Your death, die away from my own death: strike me (in my assumed selfhood) to the ground, and kill my selfhood through Your death, so that I no longer live for myself: since I do nothing in my own self but work sin, so strike that evil animal (full of false cunning and own-desires) to the ground, and deliver the poor soul from its heavy bonds. O merciful God, It is Your love and long-suffering that I