To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit
Psalm 51:1-12
Questions for Reflection:
What thoughts, feelings or other words come to mind when you think of repentance?
Pick a verse from the reading above that resonates with you right now. Spend some time pondering why that verse is resonating.
How could Jesus restore the Joy of your salvation today?
Prayer of the Week:
(Note: This week’s prayer is designed with 15 second pauses built in so when there is a pause don’t let it surprise you. The idea is that after each prayer section we take a short time to personally engage more fully what was just prayed.)
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank You for the opportunity to be in Your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in You. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in Your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, untangle me Jesus, untangle me. I am Yours and You are mine.
Jesus, I pause now to check my thinking and turn my mind towards You. Heal my thinking, help me notice the tangles in my mind and soul and to invite You in to every situation, concern and anxiety that occupies me today. Jesus help me do this now.
(15 second pause)
Jesus, I give everyone and everything to You. I give everyone and everything to You. You are God... I am not. I give everyone and everything to You. Jesus help me do this now.
(15 second pause)
Jesus, I ask for Your protection from the evil one over my spirit, soul and body, my heart, mind and will. I now take my place in Your authority and bring the rule, reign and work of Jesus between me and all people and their warfare that only the things of the love of God and Spirit of God pass through to me. Jesus help me do this now.
(15 second pause)
Jesus, I rest in the security of Your love and presence. Thank You for loving me. Help me rest in the comfort of Your invitation to me to stop striving and simply come to You. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Jesus, help me be at rest with You now.
(15 second pause)
Amen
