“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

Lord God, You are gracious to me beyond my imagination. You know my sin better than I know it. You see it in my heart, even in their deepest corners. You want me to be good and upright. You want integrity and truth and honor and righteousness to come from my mouth and to be lived in my life. But that isn’t often there either. You know my sin and how I have failed to do the good you desire. You know it all and, yet, you welcome me into your presence to confess. You welcome me into your presence to beg for forgiveness and mercy. And more than that, you also actually forgive. You remove my sin and guilt. You have done all that. Father, you are gracious and merciful, always eager to forgive me. I pray, O Spirit, do not just remove my sins but make me new. Raise me up from this old, sinful way of life to live a new life for you today. Restore my spirit and make me strong. Restore my joy and put a spring in my step. Clean me heart, O God, and raise me up to a new life. Amen.

Jesus doesn’t just get us out of hell; it also makes us new. Grace doesn’t just help us shed the weight of past sins; it raises us up to live a new life.