Having a Clean Heart
Tuesday’s Verse:
From Psalm 51:10 ESV
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
During the Offertory, we hear God's word and prepare to offer our gifts to the Lord. So we sing this prayer of David in Psalm 51. We are not bringing anything to the Lord that is good enough, but trusting in the mercy he gave to us first.
David understood that he did not have a clean heart. Sin goes deeper than just actions. It distorts our hearts to want and think things that are wrong. David didn't say I will create something better in myself. Instead that God would create in me a clean heart. Only God can create something as big as He created the world.
God creates clean hearts for us through Jesus. By giving us His Holy Spirit in Baptism, He forgives our sins over and over, creating new hearts. He feeds our faith with His Son’s body and blood in the Supper.
So when we sing this, we are not saying we are perfect. We are asking God to continue to create good in us. Because Christ has freed us from our sin and allows us to give more than our money or time. Our hearts, created by him.
Today’s Prayers
Heavenly Father, we are not perfect. Our sin is always before us and You. When we pray “Create in me a clean heart,” we ask that Your forgiveness refocuses us on being Your people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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