One of the things we take for granted is clean water. Not only is water vital for drinking it is also important for cleaning
so many things including ourselves. When we speak about a “prayer for cleansing”, the first thing to consider is that we need spiritual cleansing. We use water because we need it. God offers us a spiritual cleansing from our sin. If we don’t accept this gift from God how absurd would that be. It would like we are saying to God that we don’t need cleansing from our sin. A smarter approach is to come to God and receive what He has for us.
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” Psalm 51:1-2, ESV.
In the Old Testament days this was a regular ritual but we live in an age of Grace. We are in an era after the sacrifice was made for our sin by Jesus. However, we still need to constantly come before God to seek His spiritual cleansing so that we can live a life filled with joy and not crippled with guilt.
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:7-12.