A Prayer about Help for Our 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, even on this Valentine’s Day,

many Christians began an intentional time 

of reflecting on our sins 

as 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). 

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 “it is you, O Lord my God, 

who will answer” (Psalm 38:9, 15). 

In Jesus’ loving name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 38.