Mercy is on my mind…how great God’s is

and how much the Church needs it.

PSALM 51 – Intercession for the Church

Have mercy upon the Church, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out Her transgressions.

Wash the Church thoroughly from Her iniquity and cleanse Her from Her sin.

For we, the Church, acknowledge our transgressions and our sin is ever before us. Against You, You only, have we sinned and done this evil in Your sight, that You may be found just when You speak and blameless when You judge.

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts of the Church, and in the hidden part You make the Church to know wisdom.

Purge the Church with hyssop and She shall be clean; wash the Church and She shall be whiter than snow.

Make the Church to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from Her sins and blot out all Her iniquities.

Create in the Church a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within Her. Do not cast the Church away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from Her.

Restore to the Church the joy of Your salvation, and uphold Her with Your generous spirit. Then the Church will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver the Church from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of Her salvation, and Her tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open the lips of the Church , and Her mouth shall show forth Your praise.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart…these, O God, You will not despise.

Do good in Your good pleasure to the Church. Build the walls of the Church. Then, You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness in the Church.

Happy and mercy-full NEW Year, Everyone!

Esther