Whispered Prayer of the Repenters
My God, sins have clothed me in the garment of my own lowliness, and separation from You has wrapped me in the cloak of my misery. The greatness of my offenses has put my heart to death, so bring it to life with a turning unto You. O my hope and my goal, O my desire and my wish: by Your might, I find no one who can forgive my sins but You, nor any to mend my brokenness but You. To You I have turned in repentance, lowly and submissive, yielding before You. If You drive me from Your door, to whose door shall I flee? If You reject my turning, in whose presence shall I hide? O hardship of my disgrace, were You to leave me. O bitterness of my sorrow, were You to be silent toward me. My God, I take refuge in Your forgiveness from Your wrath. I take refuge in Your mercy from Your justice. I take refuge in Your pardon from Your punishment. I take refuge in You from You. So accept my repentance, perhaps the lowliness of returning may quiet the burden of separation.
Even the language of repentance is gentle, 'lowly,' 'submissive,' 'I take refuge in You from You.' He does not bargain. He simply returns.
Tonight, before sleep, say only: 'Astaghfirullah rabbi wa atubu ilayh', three times. Then let it rest. The returning is enough.