A Prayer For A Clean Heart

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?

Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

Keep your servant from deliberate sins!

Don’t let them control me.

Then I will be free of guilt

and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:12-14

The closer we get to God, the more we become aware of our own sin and our own unworthiness. David starts out this prayer by proclaiming the greatness of the Lord: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship” (v. 1). As he praises God, David senses the sin that exists in his life. He asks the Lord to cleanse him and keep him from all sins—even those that are hidden deep in his own heart. In spite of his weaknesses and failures, David wants his entire life, even what he says and thinks, to be pleasing to God.

Start your prayer time today by meditating on God’s perfection and holiness. Then acknowledge where you fall short and confess your sins to God. Ask him to cleanse your heart, pointing out the sins buried deep within you.

• Holy God, point out all my sins and cleanse me. Make the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart pleasing to you . . .