Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Psalm 51:1 (NIV)
This opening verse can be used as our simple prayer to God to set our walk aright at the start of a day or our final thoughts after the sun has set.
We are told by Jesus that a publican who prayed ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ (Luke 18:13) walked away more righteous than a Pharisee when both came to God to give prayer in the temple.
It’s comforting to know that admission of guilt doesn’t get counted against us in God’s eyes, knowing we are always given a chance to appeal to His mercy and great compassion and receive forgiveness.
Please share a comment! Ed.
It is by that admission of guilt that we can take our first steps with God. When we are self-righteous, it is a wall between ourselves and God. When we are humble and honest about who we are and what we have done, then can God come to walk with us, to guide us towards His glory. Thank-you for reminding me that God can only be with us when we acknowledge out guilt and invite Him in.
In stead of being totally grateful I found myself whining about something today I so need to take this advice Len. Thank you.