Do you know that you sin? Do you recognize it? Do you feel sorrow and grieve over it? Do you ask God to forgive you? Why? For your sake? To clear your conscience? Is it all about you? Or do you ask God to forgive you for his name’s sake? Do you ask so that God is glorified?
We all sin. Not one of us is perfect. We hear many people state that fact. Yet, we also continue to sin, often judging others for their sin, which is sin as well. We can easily fall into an endless cycle of sinning, asking for forgiveness, and quickly sinning again needlessly.
The Psalmist asks that God forgive, not only himself, but the entire nation of Israel. When was the last time you asked God to forgive your nation? Asking God to forgive our nation, our state, our community for offenses committed should be our regular prayer. It is especially important when there are or have been systemic sinfulness.
Our purpose in life is to glorify God. We do this by carrying his work. What is his work? Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Care for the widows and orphans. Simply put, care for those who live on the margins. When our communities are systemically ignoring them, we sin against God by disobeying his will.
Crying out to God to forgive us for our sin so that his name is glorified is important. Along with asking for forgiveness, we must ask God to move in the hearts of leaders to change the priorities of the community. As priorities are set in accordance with God’s will, he will be glorified. We must never forget the importance of prayer.
I pray we all ask God to forgive ourselves and our community. I pray we ask God to lead us in following his will. I pray each one of us make our prayers more about God and less about us. Ask for forgiveness. Pray for your community. Follow God’s will. Make your prayer about God.
Psalm 79:9
Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins,
for your name’s sake.
Marty Pressey 