Then I Will Teach

THEN I WILL TEACH

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

Have mercy on me, O God,

because of your unfailing love.

Because of your great compassion,

blot out the stain of my sins.

Wash me clean from my guilt.

Purify me from my sin.

For I recognize my rebellion;

it haunts me day and night.

Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;

I have done what is evil in your sight.

You will be proved right in what you say,

and your judgment against me is just.

For I was born a sinner—

yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

But you desire honesty from the womb,

teaching me wisdom even there.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Oh, give me back my joy again;

you have broken me—

now let me rejoice.

Don’t keep looking at my sins.

Remove the stain of my guilt.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Do not banish me from your presence,

and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and make me willing to obey you.

Then 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.

This psalm contains a heartfelt confession and reveals utter trust in God’s forgiveness and compassion. It also teaches something many of us have never considered: What if our being cleansed from sin is not for our sake alone? The writer of this psalm asks God for a pure heart, a steadfast spirit, and restoration so that he can teach other transgressors about God’s compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. What could our families, friends, and neighbors learn from the way God has poured out his grace on us? How might our lives be shaped if we were to confess and repent—not only to receive forgiveness, but also to share our story of God’s loving forgiveness with others?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• Identify two or three specific wrongdoings you have confessed to God in the recent past. What would you say if a friend asked you, “What difference did it make when you confessed?”
• According to this psalm, what are the things God gives us when we come to him with a contrite heart? How might you describe these things to a friend who asks you how you know that God has forgiven you?

Lord, thank you for your forgiveness and willingness to cleanse me of all sin, create in me a pure heart, and restore me to joy. Give me the courage to share the story of your forgiveness in my life with others so they too can know the peace and freedom that comes when we turn to you. May my life display the truth of your forgiveness. Amen.