Lent Day 5

Psalm 51:1-3

(or read whole psalm each day this week)

The first step toward a better relationship with God is to admit that the relationship needs to become better than it is right now. Each of us has sinned and ignoring it won't make it go away. King David wrote this prayer after God, through a prophet, called his attention to a significant sin which he had tried to ignore. But he couldn't hide the sin from God and he couldn't have a good relationship with God until he admitted his sin and asked for forgiveness. Take a moment to think about your recent words, thoughts and actions. Ask God for forgiveness for any and all sins that you've been trying to ignore or hide.
In your copy of this heart today, write a sacrifice related to the sin you just asked God to forgive you for. Maybe you can write a prayer like King David wrote, asking the Lord to forgive your sin and thanking Him for His mercy. Maybe you need to apologize to someone else who was hurt by your sin or do something to restore your relationship with that person as well as with God. Maybe there is a particular activity that often causes you to sin which you need to avoid today. Or maybe it's not really possible to improve your relationship with someone you've hurt but you can fast from a food or activity today and use that as a reminder throughout the day to pray for the Lord to bless the person you've hurt.