O Gracious Father of Humanity and
All Creation, having failed you once more I sink to my knees knowing my sin and
knowing my need of you.
Insight, Lord: Afresh, I have fallen short and have not only
sinned against myself, but against you, my God. I have fallen because of my
lack of insight, and because I have been deceived again. What is insight
without you, Lord? There is no
good knowledge that is not yours. Help me to know what is good for me. Give me
your Presence through the power of your wisdom. Open the eyes of my heart that
I might see you, and want you, and adhere to you. Transform my mind to discern
truth.
Save me again, Lord:
You sent your Son to die for
me, so these despicable places I do see. Had it not been for my salvation I
could not see. And having been saved, once and for evermore, I know you will
save me again, every time I earnestly seek you. And I seek you now; this very
moment; draw me into your holy Presence. Help me to feel the indwelling Holy
Spirit.
Courage, Lord: It is difficult for me to be straight with
you, because the unconscious shame dwells deeply, and I am a stricken wretch.
So I cast myself before you and own even more than my share of sin, if that is
possible, just so there would be no barrier between me and you. Save me from
self-deceit, and flush out into the light what has long been in darkness. Purge
me of long gratuities of vice. Give me the strength to withstand many
protective falsities that subsidise my pride. Help me worship you; an exercise
in truth.
Refresh my faith, Lord:
My faith has taken a hit, and
my confidence is shattered. I struggle as I claw up from the ground. My spirit
is crushed. But I seek you in faith, to restore my powers of belief. Times as
these I forget my successes in living for you. Help me to start again. Help me
to reach deeper down into myself, in your name, in redeeming the confidence I
have lost.
In the Name of my Saviour, Jesus,
I pray—AMEN.
***
When we have sinned, upon our
repentance, we are one honest moment from the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Never better is there than the matter of solemn prayer; to pray for insight,
for salvation, for courage, and for faith.
© 2012 S. J. Wickham.
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