Bringing the same sins to confession is like sitting in traffic. It feels like there’s nothing we can do about it. We are confident we know the way out, but we still keep falling into that sin, whatever it may be. Instead of clinging to the lie that “we got this”, cling to Jesus.
We can’t do it alone. We need directions. Better yet, we need someone who knows the way to show the way.
Fr. Mark-Mary offers this prayer from Brother Isaiah for when we’re struggling with habitual sin:
From the tendency to self-reliance, deliver me O Lord
From a fear of asking for help, deliver me O Lord
From a doubt in your providence, deliver me O Lord
From a doubt that you are a good Father, deliver me O Lord
From the tendency to believe that my weakness will define me, deliver me O Lord
From discouragement, deliver me O Lord
From despair, deliver me O Lord
With a confidence in your fatherhood—that you are a good father—strengthen me, O Lord. With a trust in your guidance and your providence, strengthen me, O Lord. With a zeal for virtue and growth, strengthen me, O Lord. With hope that I can with your help succeed, strengthen me, O Lord. With the confidence and the courage to ask for help, strengthen me, O Lord. With an ear that is attuned to your voice, strengthen me, O Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Spend time with the Word of God as well, and let it soak in. You will find that you are not meant to fight this battle alone. God wants us to be one, to be a family, helping each other to become holy.
Meet Fr. Mark-Mary
Father Mark-Mary was ordained as a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal (CFR) in 2018 and lives at a friary in the Bronx.
The mission of the CFRs is to wholeheartedly embrace Jesus through fidelity to the Church and her Sacraments. Paired with their commitment to prayer, contemplation, and study of Sacred Scripture, the CFRs serve those around them, especially the poor, in the footsteps of Christ.
Discover beautiful music from the CFRs here.
