In this time it seems appropriate to depart from our usual
format to encourage you to take time out just to pray. As the millenium (arguably) draws
to a close, it is good to reflect on who we are, what we are about, and to go to our knees
in prayer, confessing our sin to God and appealing for forgiveness as David did after his
adultery and murder were exposed. David knew God as a God of both righteousness and mercy.
He knew that God's standards did not make room for compromise, yet that God's love would
never turn its back on an honest confession. So, as you read the following, read it as
your own prayer to God, and personalize it, inserting your own confessions and your own
pleas. If pornography addiction is your sin, it is not so different or so much more
revolting than David's sin, and it does not separate you so far from God that he cannot
save you from it.
1. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in
your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
5. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother
conceived me.
6. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom
in the inmost place.
7. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will
be whiter than snow.
8. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed
rejoice.
9. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit
within me.
11. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from
me.
12. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing
spirit, to sustain me.
13. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn
back to you.
14. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my
tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not
take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite
heart, O God, you will not despise.
18. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of
Jerusalem.
19. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings
to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.