A Prayer about Help for Our Sin

Do you know you need help for your sin?

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation;

There is no health in my bones because of my sin. Psalm 38:3

Mighty and Merciful God,

Today, as many Christians began an intentional time 

of reflecting on our sins,

we prepare to celebrate 

the outrageously good news 

that our loving and beloved Savior

died and rose for those sins.

How appropriate then to join David 

in his mourning and anguish over his sin, 

as he cries out, 

“For my iniquities have gone over my head; 

like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me” (Psalm 38:4).

Lord, help us to see that without your love, 

shown to us in your Son our Savior, 

our beloved Bridegroom, 

we’d be sunk by our sin. 

Help us to smell 

the festering wounds of our own foolishness (Psalm 38:5). 

Help us to truly mourn over our sin, 

over the ways we have done harm to you and others. 

We are indeed “feeble and crushed,” just as David was (Psalm 38:8). 

But most of all, help us to collapse 

completely on your grace, 

crying out to you as David did, 

“O Lord, all my longing is before you; 

my sighing is not hidden from you,” 

knowing that because of Jesus, 

you have heard our cries, 

and you have indeed answered them (Psalm 38:9, 15). 

In Jesus’ loving name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 38.