Psalm 51 provides the gold standard for confessional prayer.
“According to the greatness of your compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2).
First, David asks God to “blot out my transgressions.” He is asking God to scrape off the lies and deceit in his life the same way people scraped off copy from a sheet of papyrus so they can use it again.
Second, David says, “Wash me.” He knew that God must wash him both inside and out in order to remove the stains from his life.
Third, David prayed, “Cleanse me,” which was the word used to describe the act of a priest when he restored someone from leprosy.
Blot. Wash. Cleanse. Three great promises for any man or woman mired in addiction.
Recovery Step: Pray as David prayed.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
