A Prayer for Reconciliation with our Neighbor

O MERCIFUL JESUS, Moved by Thy grace I am about to go to Confession and Absolution, for the remission of sins. But I recall Thine earnest words: If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer the gift. Now unfortunately, I have gotten into a strained relation with my neighbor, therefore, grant me Thy grace and so rule me, that my heart may be inclined to reconciliation. I recognize the hardness of my heart, and acknowledge the difficulty of keeping my flesh and blood in subjection, abstaining from all wrath and desire for revenge. But I desire, yea, I supplicate Thee, O Lord, to take out of my flesh the heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh, a heart of love and reconciliation. Make of me a person that loves his enemy, blesses those that curse him, does good to those that hate him, and prays for those that despitefully use him and persecute him. O, let me ever be mindful of judgment day and the rigid (strict) account I must render, so that I may abandon the enmity that looks to death and destruction, and agree with mine adversary, while in the way with him, and not let the sun go down upon my wrath. And even as I, in Thy name, pardon and forgive all persons by whom I have been offended, so grant that I may also find those whom I have hurt and provoked willing to pardon and forgive me. O Lord Jesus, forgive us all our sins and so rule our hearts as to live together in a peaceful and Christian spirit, blessing Thy name here in time and hereafter in eternity. Amen.