“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
This is such a heartfelt psalm by King David. Lost in his own transgressions, he prayed for renewal and transformation, and it reflects a deep down need for his God. Only God can restore our joy, especially the joy and the blessed relief we have in knowing that we are his saved children and that, no matter what we’ve done, he still loves us. The idea of cleansing and being clean is expressed here and it is understandable that sometimes, for whatever reason, we feel somewhat “grubby” in God’s presence.
We are mirrors that reflect our Lord and when that mirror is clean and bright, then the face of God can be seen in it. But if we do things that we shouldn’t, or fail to do things that we should, even if they are small things, this mirror gets smudged and dull. God will not shine out from us if our thoughts and deeds are impure or contaminated, or if they reflect our own ego and not God’s majesty and love.
Every new day is an opportunity for God to create clean hearts within us. There is a simple prayer that is so easy to remember and is often used when we cannot find words to express ourselves to God. Sometimes it’s difficult to find words when we feel unworthy or down on ourselves. It’s called the “Jesus Prayer.”
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
In this prayer we request God’s mercy and it reflects a humble admission of sin and a need for God’s grace. And of course, when we ask with repentant hearts, God showers his grace on us; God is always ready to create clean hearts within us so that we can once again reflect his grace out to others.
Tell Out My Soul 
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