It is God’s mercy that we would be able to see the true condition of our hearts, no matter how hard. Even before we see clearly, we can invite Him to uproot any ungodly beliefs that inform our thoughts and result in ungodly actions. We can receive and actually begin to experience the forgiveness and deliverance He’s already given from demonic oppression. By Love Himself, we can be reassembled and transformed. 

We are all familiar with King David’s sin of pride and adultery with Bathsheba, which also led to her husband’s death. Confronted by Nathan the prophet, David did not attempt to cover up his sin. Haunted by his sins, he cried out for God’s mercy.

We are no different. We have all looked for love and significance in the wrong places. We have given our hearts over to attachments and addictions. We have enslaved ourselves to other gods. Jesus said if we even entertain a sin in the privacy of our thoughts, we are guilty of the sin itself (see Matthew 5:28). 

Like David, we too are invited to live a life of repentance and cry out to God: 

I receive grace from your fountain of forgiveness. I know your abundant love is enough to wash away my guilt!  Forgive me for the full extent of my wrongs—erase this deep stain on my conscience. Against you, and you above all, have I sinned. Everything I did was done right in front of you.

Wash me in your love and purify me from the corruption of sin that has polluted my soul. You delight to set your truth deep in my spirit. Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires. You allowed the hardness of my heart to be broken so that I can receive your healing touch. 

The source of your pleasure is not in my performance or the sacrifices I offer you. The fountain of your pleasure is found in the sacrifice of my shattered, anguished heart from the sting of my sin against you, Lord.

As I humbly bow before you, you will accept my contrite heart. Restore my passion for life, joyful in every breakthrough you bring to me. Create in me a clean heart and renew a willing spirit within me that obeys whatever you say. 

Protect others from my sin; be the protecting wall around them. Keep showing them favor. We offer our lives to you in love as we wait for full restoration (see Psalm 51).