Psalm 26

Psalm 26 (NRSV)
6 I wash my hands in innocence,
and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 singing aloud a song of thanksgiving,
and telling all your wondrous deeds.
8 O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell,
and the place where your glory abides.
9 Do not sweep me away with sinners,
nor my life with the bloodthirsty,
10 those in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground;
in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.
[1]

Lord,

Help me to pray with the poet, “I walk in my integrity.” In the midst of all that life brings, all that is wonderful and all that is painful, grant me the grace to remember who I am; one of your sons, a follower of Jesus Christ, an “Image-of-God” human being, one who enjoys the grace that you give. Help me to never forget the two great commandments of life, to love you with all of my being and to love my neighbor as I love myself. Keep me grounded in the community of Your Spirit and grant me the grace of joyful worship.

The poet prays, “Do not sweep me away with sinners.” I pray, forgive me my sin and do not abandon me because of my mistakes and misdeeds. Grow me to be the man that you intended in my birth so many years ago.

And in all things, I will remember to say “thank you” both in public and private places.

PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God to help you to remember your core identity as a child of God.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.

[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989