Journaling Psalm 51 Part 5

Psalm 51 is David’s repentance for his many sins including adultery and murder. He was a man after God’s own heart yet a sinner – saved by grace. Join me on this solemn and blessed journey of prayer, confession and repentance.

Psalm 51:12- 15

Restore to me again the joy of your salvation,

and make me willing to obey you.

Then I will teach your ways to sinners,

And they will return to you.

Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves.

Then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.

Unseal my lips, O Lord, that I may praise you.

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Dear Father,

Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

You have restored to me the joy of my salvation! Thank you for welcoming me back. I marvel at my return to you and the journey we have been on ever since. And I marvel at M also coming to you. We’ve grown in knowing you and your Word. Thank you for all the dear pastors, leaders and friends you put in our path just when we needed them and their wisdom and friendship. I’ve learned so much about trusting you and obeying your call. I can rely on you and I’m not in control. Teach my heart and soul (the deep unconscious spaces in me) to know this so I will be more and more like you. Keep stretching me and drawing me even closer to you. 

Father,

 “Make me willing to obey you.” Obeying is difficult. It also has been a path that has blessed me. I obeyed about leading a marriage group, and it led me on an adventure that stretched and grew me. More recently I obeyed you in writing Changing Churches which led me to all these internet connections and adventures. Both of these stretched me and forced me to lean on you and trust you more.

Father,

Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and they will return to you. I want to be used by you to teach unbelievers—all those people who are separated from you. You used me to save someone’s life. You showed me years ago that I saved a life by getting a pregnant woman to a doctor. He discovered that her baby was dead and if she hadn’t come in when she did she would have died. To help save someone for Eternal life – even better! I know when I obey you (listen to you) others will see you in me and be drawn to you. Help me remember this and do this. Guide me in what to pray, let your Holy Spirit give me the words. Remind me it’s not about me so I’ll be a channel for you and your power.

Father,

Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves.  I know my sins are responsible for shedding Christ’s blood. I know this in my head, it’s hard to accept it in my heart – it’s so mysterious and upsetting to think I shed my Lord and Savior’s blood and that the same blood now covers all my sins that caused this. Forgive me, Lord. I haven’t literally killed anyone though I have had "murder" (terrible anger) in my heart at times. I hope I haven’t “killed” anyone’s spirit. Forgive me, Lord and teach me what I need to learn about my anger and hurtful words. I know you forgive all these sins and I thank you for this and accept your forgiveness. You are the God who saves.

Dear, Father,

I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that I may praise you.

I joyfully sing of your forgiveness. "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound..." I am amazed at your forgiveness. I thank you for forgiving me daily as I become more aware of current and recurrent sins. I thank you for my new life in Christ and that my heart often burns within me with your love.

I pray you will unseal my lips that I may praise you. When I am abiding in you my lips are unsealed. I want to praise you from the house tops then! Singing your praises draws me to you. I praise you for the ways you’re cleaning my heart and giving me a new heart. I praise you that you make all things new.

Blessings, Dottie

Psalm 51 Part 1 is here.

Psalm 51 Part 2 is here.

Psalm 51 Part 3 is here.

Psalm 51 Part 4 is here.