“Surely, against me He has turned His hand repeatedly all the day. He has caused my flesh and my skin to waste away, He has broken my bones. He has besieged and encompassed me with bitterness and hardship.” How many of us have felt the chastisement of our God, so severe that we pleaded with him to give us our joy back? We were so broken and bruised that our faith wavered, but, we did not give up; because we understand, that, “Happy is the man whom God reproves, for He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds, but His hands also heal.” Lord, because I trust in your faithfulness. May I rejoice because of your deliverance! Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

Many of you must be wondering what is hyssop? Hyssop is a plant which has antiseptic properties and has been mentioned in the Bible several times in relation to cleansing. Leviticus 14:49, Exodus 12:22 and Psalm 51:7. This period of Lent calls for us to be spiritually clean, to be washed whiter than snow from every stain of sin. My brothers and sisters in Christ, in the Bible, blood and hyssop were used to purify, so too, the blood of Jesus shed for us on Calvary purifies us from sin and evil. Lord, as we confess our sins, purge us with hyssop, wash us and make us whiter than snow. Thank you, Lord!

For the Lord gives wisdom. From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Therefore, examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. I want to speak truth in my heart, I want to trust you without wavering, because you see all of my ways and you count all of my steps. Continually direct my paths, for the perverse in heart are an abomination to you O Lord, but those who walk blameless, you delight in them. Praise the Lord!

“How then can a man be just with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of woman? Who can make the clean out of the unclean?” Surely, no one else but our God! For even though we were conceived in sin, God has granted us the gift of salvation by which all of us could be made whole. But, a gift is not a gift until it is received. So all who are in need of God’s cleansing blood, should draw near to him by faith; accept him as Lord and Master of your life and he will create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. Thank you, Lord!

The son declared, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, how many times have we felt this way? But, does God disclaim us, will he ever disown us? Absolutely not! Jesus said, that he came so that we could have life and live life abundantly; therefore, each time we fall, we need to remind ourselves, that, the abundant life is still ours to partake, that Jesus understands the integrity of our hearts, and that he is waiting for us to repent and return to him, so that he could fit us with the best robe and place a beautiful ring on our finger and sandals on our feet. Praise the Lord!

Lord, our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; but although our iniquities testify against us, O Lord, act for Your name’s sake! Truly we have been rebellious in so many ways, we continue to sin against You. O God, we are ashamed and embarrassed to lift up our face to You, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, deliver us and forgive our sins.

Lord, if only you could hold us to our promises as we hold you to yours. But, we are thankful that you understand how frail we are in our devotion to you, and we are more thankful that you offer us the gift of forgiveness. Lord you said, “If we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Lord, how can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Lord, I bring before you this morning, every sinful thought, word and deed that I have knowingly committed against you; and I lay them at your feet and ask you to cleanse me from the inside out and to give me a brand new start; a new heart to serve you all the rest of my days. I ask this in your mighty name. Amen!

Dear God, please accept the fervent, penitent prayers of our hearts. We know that we do not deserve your goodness, but your mercy is everlasting. Forgive us for all the wrongs that we have done in our ignorance and cover us with your saving grace, so that you will blot out all of our offenses. Lord, we are counting on your promise, that you hate nothing that you have made and will forgive the sins of all those who are penitent. Father, please hear our prayer and let our cry come unto you. Amen!

Dear God, we are so thankful for this Season of Lent, this season when we could not only think on the hurt, the pain, the shame and reproach that Jesus bore, but we could think of what we could look forward to, because of Jesus’ time in the wilderness. And so, dear Lord, give us penitent hearts, give us courage to go through this Season of Lent with joyous hope as we look forward to Jesus’ second coming. May our journey be enlightening, may the cross be always before us, and may the light of God, shine on in our hearts. All this ask in your precious name. Amen!

Lord, “If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.” The prayers in my book, “Prayers for Everyday Living”  were written because of one situation or another that I have been through, and each time, I came through because God’s Word, His law, was my delight. No matter what I was going through, when I opened my Bible, there was a verse or scripture that gave me comfort and encouragement. My brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s Word offers comfort in affliction. So, whatever you are going through this morning, let the Word of God talk you through it.