“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”

Psalm 51:3 

God of Abundant Mercy,

We return to David’s prayer of confession today 

to name our own sins, transgressions, and iniquities:

We know our transgression—

ways we’ve crossed the line, 

taken your good gifts and turned them into demands.

[Name some ways you’ve crossed the line.]

We need cleansing from our sin—

ways we’ve fallen short 

of the high mark Jesus set 

for loving our friends, family, neighbors, and enemies.

[Name some ways you’ve fallen short of the love Jesus commands.]

We need to be washed thoroughly from our iniquity—

our distorted way of seeing the world and walking in it, 

for indeed, we were born in iniquity (Psalm 51:2; 5).

[Name some ways your view of God’s world is distorted.]

We know our desperate need for a Savior, 

and we thank you and praise you 

for the perfectly righteous One you sent, 

who died that we may be washed 

“whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7).

In Jesus’ freeing name. Amen. 

(Thanks to ligonier.org for their helpful article, “What is the difference between sin, transgression, and iniquity?”).