PSALM 51:1-12

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 alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.
⁵   Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.

⁶   You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my 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 crushed rejoice.
⁹   Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.

¹⁰  Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
¹¹  Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
¹²  Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
• Truth is written on your heart.
• God desires you to know truth from within.
• What wisdom does God desire to teach you?
• What wisdom do you desire?
• Where does God’s desire for you and your desire meet?
• Focus on the place where the desires meet.
• Is there a call to action?
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, March 25, 2012, the Fifth Sunday in Lent Year B
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12
Psalm 119:9-16
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD