A Prayer of Repentance
We come to you, Lord,
knowing that you love us
no matter of what.
That’s why we dare to come to you,
knowing that you will help us.
We put our hearts and souls in your hand.
Generous in love—God, give grace!
Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.
Scrub away my guilt,
soak out my sins in your laundry.
I know how bad I’ve been;
my sins are staring me down.
(Psalm 51:1-3, MSG)
We ask for grace to open our eyes to see all our transgressions.
Show us how we nailed Jesus on the cross.
We ask grace to see our sinfulness and desire repentance.
Show us how we made Jesus to suffer.
We ask grace to see our rottenness and yearn to be made whole.
Show us how we grieve you over and over again.
We ask grace to illuminate our mind to see your will for us.
Show us the way to true life in Jesus.
You’re the One I’ve violated, and you’ve seen
it all, seen the full extent of my evil.
You have all the facts before you;
whatever you decide about me is fair.
I’ve been out of step with you for a long time,
in the wrong since before I was born.
What you’re after is truth from the inside out.
Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.
(Psalm 51:4-6, MSG)
We repent, Lord, forgive us!
Pour out grace upon grace, Lord!
Do whatever you want with us,
just don’t leave us as we are!
Pour out faith upon faith, Lord!
Redeem, restore, renew!
Get rid of anything and everything unholy!
Pour out hope upon hope, Lord!
Fill us with your Spirit!
Pour out joy upon joy, Lord!
Let us feel your presence!
Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don’t look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
I’ll let loose with your praise.
(Psalm 51:7-15, MSG)
Thank you for not giving up on us,
even when we’d deserve it.
Thank you for saving us, Lord!
What glorious plans you have for us!
Empower us to follow your leading.
Thank you for loving us so dearly,
especially when we most need it.
What measures you take to care for us!
Thank you for working in us, for us.
Grant us the grace to become holy like you
and follow you all of our days.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray,
Amen
Q4U: How would you like to continue this prayer? Or would you like us to pray for you?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you prepare your heart and mind for resurrection.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Carden,design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke.Linking up today with Heart & Home, Unite the Bloggersphere, #tellhisstory and
9 thoughts on “A Prayer of Repentance”
I’ve always loved this line from the Message: shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Your post was a beautiful reminder of restoration and grace and being made clean.
Yes, I love that line from the Message, too. Peterson has phrased it so beautifully. Especially because the Hebrew verb used is the same one than in Genesis 1 (create). The same power that created the world is in action in us and for us and through us. Thank you, Jerri, for you comment. Bountiful Holy Week Blessings to you!
Oh how often we need to return to this message of repentance. Thanks for reminding me today to confess and repent. I need my Savior every single day. So grateful He’s always there!
Thanks, Lisa! Yes, we do need repentance every day. I especially feel drawn to it during Holy Week. Special Blessings to you!
It amazes me that David is called a man after God’s own heart and yet he was so normal. He failed, he hurt, he sinned, he complained, he was human and God loved him.
Gives me hope and encouragement that God loves me no matter how I act. His love and grace never fail!
Yes, David was very human. But he always turned back to God. He did to stay away. And that’s my goal, too. To always turn to God, no matter what.
God will always be faithful and welcoming. It sure gives us hope upon hope! Thank you, TC, for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate you! Big bold blessings!
Oh yes. That precious gift of Grace!
Oh yes! Thank you for your response! Precious Blessings to you and yours!