O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou innocent and spotless Lamb of God, who didst
suffer for us the ignominious death of the cross, which it is Thy will
that it never be forgotten by us. From the depth of our hearts we again
give Thee praise, honor and thanks for this Thy love and mercy, that Thou
didst so dearly purchase us poor sinners by Thy innocent sufferings and
death, and didst become obedient to Thy heavenly Father, unto death on
the cross. Thou didst also shed Thy precious blood to wash away and blot
out our sins, and didst lay down Thy life in order to rescue us from
eternal death. O faithful Saviour! how much didst Thou suffer in our
behalf; what unspeakable torture and pain didst Thou endure in body and
soul in order that we might be free from it forever. O Lord Jesus! Thou
patient Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world, we confess,
that with our manifold and gross sins we have caused Thee such pains and
labors and brought about this Thy death. Be gracious and merciful unto us
and let this Thy bitter and painful suffering not be in vain for us.
Grant unto us Thy grace that daily we may think of Thy death, heartily
praise and thank Thee for the same, and by the contemplation of these Thy
sufferings and crucifixion we may crucify and mortify in us all lusts of
the flesh and evil passions of our corrupt nature, and since Thou didst
suffer for us, help therefore also, that we may obediently follow Thee
with the cross, which we daily deserve on account of our sins, and for
Thy sake, bear all things patiently, that, finally, we may, with all the
elect, be and forever remain with Thee in heavenly joy and bliss. Amen.