“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:12-14
Three years ago, my daughter, Grace Edwards, wrote a devotional so powerful, that re-reading it has re-inspired me! The gist of her message is the unmatched power of prayer when it is not blocked by sin. She likened our spiritual lives to a stream, where sin acts like debris, choking the flow of communion with Jesus. This insight calls me to seek Jesus in prayer, asking Him to clear the barriers and unleash the full power of His presence in my life.
My friend, prayer is a powerful and very much underused tool!
When I neglect prayer, I’m sinning—plain and simple—because the Bible commands us to pray without ceasing. The pride and self-sufficiency act like boulders clogging a stream, blocking His presence and straining my other human relationships. Harsh words fly, despairing thoughts surface, and doubt and fear begin to dominate my life. I distance myself from Jesus and others. I must ask Jesus to remove these barriers and restore fellowship with Him. Only GOD has the power to sufficiently heal my mind and heart and to sufficiently repair human connections.
God’s Word challenges us—to pray for revelation of sin—and when we do, He ignites our desire to approach Jesus with a clean heart, ready to love others as He does.
King David’s story in Psalm 51 is such a great example of this! David, a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14), had become blinded to the obvious consequences of his adultery and murder until God used Nathan the Prophet to expose him. If David could miss these horrible faults, how often do I overlook mine? Maybe it’s a grudge against a family member, a selfish act I shrug off, or worse—neglecting my prayer time with Jesus when the Bible pointedly commands us to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Psalm 19:12 is profoundly instructive: “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.” Through prayer, I must ask Jesus to reveal my sin and ALSO be willing to repent, so His love flows through me and enables restoration of my relationships with others.
When we are born again, our soul and spirit are made alive in Christ. We have the marvelous mind of Christ—but we must train ourselves to use it! Who better to train us—than God Himself? Thus, to stay fully engaged in tip-top spiritual shape, we must engage in daily quiet time. Beginning each day with quiet time—prayer, Scripture, and reflection—resets our heart with Jesus.
“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.” Psalm 5:3
This daily practice, like a spiritual deep breath, clears out yesterday’s debris—whether a harsh word or hidden sin. It’s where I confess, seek forgiveness, and ask for strength to love others. It also gives us pause to fulfill Jesus’ call to reconcile: “If… your brother has something against you… first be reconciled.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
Many mornings, I’ve called or texted someone to ask for forgiveness for an act or word of offense! Morning prayer amplifies my connection to God, giving me the desire to heal relationships and live in my Divine calling. My friend, we have a great calling, and our pride is a small price for the great reward of being in the service of God!
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” I Peter 2:9-10
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Challenge Question
What sin is blocking your prayers and your closeness with Jesus or others? This week, spend 10 minutes each morning in prayer during your quiet time. Ask God to reveal anything that stands between you and Him. Repent. Lay the burden of a habitual sin at His feet. Ask Him to help you! He is faithful!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, my Redeemer, thank You for Your Word that stirs my soul. Through this morning prayer, reveal my hidden sin, help me to turn from it. Lord, I have plenty of obvious sins, and so I confess them and ask for your healing power to think, speak, and act in YOUR righteousness. You have given me Your amazing mind—help me to use it. Help me to operate with the heart and mind of Christ. May Your love flow through me, healing my walk with You and my relationships. Help me to shine with Your love. In Your name, Amen.
