You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Psalm 51:6, 10-12
As I write this it is late January. The wind is blowing outside, the heater keeps clicking on inside the house, and I’m covered up in extra layers just trying to keep away the winter chill. All these layers and my efforts to feel warm remind me of the weighty layers hanging over my life – the layers of roles I play (mom, daughter, sister, co-worker, friend, etc.), the many layers of responsibility, the dreadful weight of self-importance, the relentless busyness of my days, and the burden of desires for things to be a certain way. Some days it all just feels like too much! These layers are weighty and they press on the real truth and wisdom that lie within my heart. Bundled and burdened under all this weight, it’s hard to sense my foundation and my connectedness to God, hard to feel the true joy of salvation, and so hard to hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit in my heart.
One of the things I love about the Lenten season is the opportunity to shed some of these heavy layers. By being intentional about repentance and sacrifice, I can lighten the weight that has burdened me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Through contrition and a hopeful heart, I can winnow away the layers that stand between me and God. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. In this season of sacrifice and repentance, I pray for the sharpness of mind and the lightness of spirit and heart to restore my connection to a loving and graceful God. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
O loving God, thank you for the opportunity to shed my burdens as I repent of my sins. I offer a willing mind, a renewed and clean heart, and a trueness of spirit so that I may come closer to you. Whisper the truth of your grace, love, and joy, and let my heart hear it so that I may live fully in your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
