# Of the Imitation of Christ/Book IV/Chapter IX

CHAPTER IX.
THAT WE OUGHT TO OFFER UP OURSELVES AND ALL THAT IS OURS UNTO GOD, AND TO PRAY FOR ALL.
HINE, O Lord, are all things that are in heaven, and that are in earth.
I desire to offer up myself unto Thee, as a free oblation, and to continue Thine for ever.
O Lord, in the simplicity of my heart I offer myself unto Thee this day, to be Thy servant for ever.
Receive Thou me, with this holy oblation of Thy precious body; which offering I make to Thee this day in the presence of angels invisibly attending.
2. O Lord, I offer unto Thee all my sins and offences which I have committed before Thee, from the day wherein I first could sin, to this hour. I ​offer them upon Thy merciful altar, that Thou mayest wash out all the stains of my sins.
Cleanse my conscience from all offences, and restore to me Thy grace which I have lost by sin, forgiving me all my offences, and granting me mercifully the kiss of peace.
3. What can I do for my sins, but humbly confess and bewail them, and unceasingly entreat Thy favour and propitiation?
Hear me graciously, I beseech Thee, when I stand before Thee my God.
All my sins are displeasing unto me. I will never commit them more: but I grieve, and will grieve for them as long as I live, and am purposed to repent and according to the utmost of my power to make restitution.
Forgive me, O God, forgive me my sins for the sake of Thy holy name: save Thou my soul which Thou hast redeemed with Thy most precious blood.
Behold I commit myself unto Thy mercy, I resign myself into Thy hands.
Deal with me according to Thy goodness, not according to my wickedness and iniquity.
4. I offer up also unto Thee whatever is good in me, although it be small and imperfect. Make it grateful and acceptable unto Thee, and perfect it more and more; and bring me, who am a slothful and unprofitable creature, to a good and blessed end.
5. I offer up unto Thee also all the pious desires of devout persons, the necessities of parents, friends, brethren, sisters, and of all those that are dear unto ​me, and that have done good either to myself or to others for Thy love.
Also all that have desired of me to pray for them and all theirs.
That all may receive the help of Thy grace, the aid of Thy consolation, protection from dangers, deliverance from pain; that they being delivered from all evils, may with joy return abundant thanksgivings unto Thee.
6. I offer up also unto Thee my prayers and intercessions for those especially who have in any thing wronged, grieved, or slandered me, or have done me any damage or displeasure.
I pray for all those also, whom I have at any time vexed, troubled, grieved, and scandalised by words or deeds, knowingly or in ignorance; that it may please Thee to forgive us all our sins and offences, one against another.
Take away from our hearts, O Lord, all suspiciousness, indignation, wrath, and contention, and whatever may hurt charity, and lessen brotherly love.
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those that crave Thy mercy, give grace unto them that stand in need thereof, and make us such as that we may be counted worthy to enjoy Thy grace, and go forward to life eternal.Amen.