Pray Every DaySample

I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

—Psalm 51:13-17

As King David continues this groundbreaking prayer of repentance, he talks about genuine life change. Once he’s experienced the audacious compassion and forgiveness of God, he cannot help but share that journey with others.

It is the same with us. Our testing becomes our testimony. Our mess, I’ve heard it said, becomes our greatest message. What once derailed us now becomes our determination to live differently.

Throughout this prayer, you see David’s heart of repentance. He continues to ask God to forgive the guilt of his sin, particularly the sin of murder. In his brokenness over his sin, he longs to be restored, and he recognizes God as the only restorer.

One of the side effects of long-standing, harbored sin is a leashed tongue. It sticks to the roof of our mouths, unable to praise God. We keep our silence instead of joyfully offering praises to God. David rightly asks God to free his tongue so he can return to the act of worship. He knows that God created us to worship our Creator, and that something painful happens to our souls when we’re prevented from praising.

What does God require of us, those who want to praise him? Repentance, yes. But also brokenness. Our inability to carry on, our fears, the worries that keep us up at night—all these are welcome mats for the presence of God. He longs for relationship with us, and that relationship grows in the soil of our sadness and incapability.

So many of us fear approaching God when we have failed. But this prayer reminds us that God delights in coming near to the one who is hurting.

Jesus, I come to you empty-handed, and my heart is hurting. Life has broken me. I have broken myself. I am in pieces, but you alone are the One who can piece me back together. I am grateful I don’t have to have my life all together for you to be able to approach me. Renew my joy like the coming of dawn. I surrender again to you. Amen.