Cry out to the Lord, he will hear you

Psalms 51 by David

Example of a Prayer of Repentance (make these words your own and declare them aloud)
1 To the chief singer. Psalm of David.
2 When Nathan the prophet came to him, after David had gone to Bath-sheba.

3 O God, have mercy on me in your kindness; According to your great mercy, blot out my transgressions; 4 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 5 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is constantly before me.

6 I have sinned against you alone, And done what is evil in your sight, So that you will be just in your sentence, Blameless in your judgment. 7 Behold, I was born in iniquity, And my mother conceived me in sin. 8 But thou wilt have truth in the heart: So bring wisdom within me! 9 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 10 Proclaim to me gladness and joy, And the bones which thou hast broken shall rejoice.

11 Turn away your eyes from my sins, Blot out all my iniquities. 12 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 13 Cast me not away from thy presence, Remove not thy holy spirit from me. 14 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, And let a willing spirit sustain me!

15 I will teach your ways to those who transgress them, And sinners will turn back to you. 16 O God, God of my salvation, deliver me from bloodshed, And my tongue will praise your mercy.

17 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 18 If you had wanted sacrifices, I would have offered them to you; But you have no pleasure in burnt offerings.

19 The sacrifices that are pleasing to God are a broken spirit: O God, you do not despise a broken and contrite heart. 20 Pour out your lovingkindness on Zion, Build up the walls of Jerusalem! 21 Then you will accept sacrifices of righteousness, burnt offerings and whole victims; Then bulls will be offered on your altar.