Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
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.
Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

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

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

O Lord, open my lips, my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem; then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
 

Today's Reflective Questions

As you read the scripture above, consider the following questions:

• Where in this passage do you see examples of repentance?
• What does this passage tell us about God’s desire to have us repent of our sins?
• How might you practice the process of confession and asking for forgiveness today?

This Week's Lenten Focus: Repentance

This Lenten season, Bishop David Wilson, along with some conference staff and members of the laity, are inviting the people of the Great Plains Conference and beyond to “Pay Attention to God’s Voice” during this season of Lent. The theme for this week is Repentance.
 
Repentance is a word we often use in the church, but what does it mean? In many ways, it stands for restoration of relationship — with others, with God, even with ourselves.

And it’s a process.

Jesus had nothing from which he had to repent, but he showed mercy to his executioners by asking God to forgive them even as the Son of God hung on the cross. Luckily, none of us face such torture, but we are, indeed, called to repent. Watch a video to learn more. This week’s video features Bishop David Wilson inviting you to explore and take part in a holy Lent.
 

Invitation to Go Deeper

What is one thing — different from yesterday — from which you should repent? Write it down and say a prayer today seeking forgiveness from God. In the prayer, name the offense, who was harmed, and ask God to restore your relationship with that person.

Prayer for Reflection

Other texts from today’s lectionary:

• Romans 4:1-11
• Romans 1:8-17