Devotion:
As we begin these 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, I’m reminded of the cry of Psalm 51 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Repentance is more than just confessing our sins to God- it’s a posture of the heart. We often think that we need to know what we are repenting of before we come to Him, but the truth is that “every man’s ways are right in their own eyes.”
We often don’t know where we are sinning or thinking incorrectly. Repentance begins with admitting we do not know everything and inviting God to search us and reveal to us any ways where we are in the wrong. To repent literally means to “re-think”. It is an invitation for God to challenge our beliefs, actions and assumptions and lead us deeper into His truth.
When we come before Him this way – humble, open, and willing – we make room for Him to move. Over these next 21 days, may repentance become our daily starting place- trusting that as we invite Him to cleanse our hearts, He will transform us, unify us, and lead us into something far greater than we could ever ask for or imagine.
Scripture:
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Psalm 51 NIV
Prayer:
Take a moment to open your heart before God, perhaps holding your hands open as a posture of surrender and invitation. Confess any known sins that come to mind, and ask Him to show you His heart for you in the midst of them. Then ask Him to reveal any hidden sins or areas He wants to bring into the light so He can make you more like Him. As you close, ask Him to renew your mind and align your thoughts and heart with His!