Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew an unwavering spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence. Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Sustain me with a willing spirit.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray that you would be with us as we begin remembering Jesus’ sacrificial journey this Lenten season—the forty-day journey to the cross with Christ. Remind us of Jesus’ death and resurrection through the hearing of your word. Please give us the strength to reflect on who we are. Looking in the mirror, we see ourselves as a person who has been corrupted by sin and is deserving of death—both temporal and eternal. So, we pray with David for you to create in me a pure heart. As we look into the mirror, we are also reminded of Isaiah’s words that everything we do is as a filthy rag. We cannot change our hearts on our own; it can only come from you.
We pray that you restore our spirit and not cast us away from you. Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. While this is what our sins deserve, these words remind us why your Son had to come to this earth. He came to restore the joy of your salvation; he has restored us back to you through his innocent suffering and death. You sent your Son to save us from all our sins. You sent him because of your love for us; please send us your Holy Spirit that we may have a willing spirit to believe, trust, and faithfully listen to your word. And through your faithful servants, we will hear the words of forgiveness you have proclaimed for Jesus’ sake.
Lord, there are so many around us who still reject your word. This Lenten season, we ask that you be with us to strengthen our faith to let go of our pride. So that we can share this good news of our Savior with those who are still caught in sin’s bondage, send out workers into the fields to restore them to you. I pray for … (who do you know that needs to hear about Jesus?). Please send your Holy Spirit to them that they may also come to know and trust in Jesus’ love and forgiveness, just as you have forgiven us. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
God brings the forgiveness you are looking for and need; it came to us when Jesus went to the cross, dying for all our sins. Through Jesus, know you are forgiven.