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The Scriptorium

Cry for Mercy

It's what we need, and we can get it in prayer.

Mighty to Save: Isaiah 63, 64(4)

Pray Psalm 51.1-3.

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.

Read Isaiah 63.15-19.

Reflect.
1. What does Isaiah want the Lord to do for His people?

2. How does Isaiah express the desolation of the people of God?

Meditate.
Isaiah prayed for the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and he recorded his prayer in writing so that they could have it to use during their time of captivity. He called upon the Lord to see the desolation of His people. They were cut off from their forebears (v. 16) and had lost their identity as the people of God. They had strayed from God’s ways, and their hearts had become hardened toward Him (v. 17). The precious gift of God’s Presence with them had been withdrawn (v. 18), and they had become like all the pagan peoples of old (v. 19).

Isaiah understood that God is sovereign even in this situation, and that for some reason, He has brought Israel to this distress (v. 17). He called upon God as Father and Redeemer, and as the God of His covenant, to come to the rescue of His people.

Paul says we do not know how to pray as we ought (Rom. 8.26). It pleases God to help us in this weakness both by the intercessory work of His Spirit, and by giving us prayers to use and prayers to emulate, to help us connect with Him in our times of need. Isaiah undoubtedly hoped this prayer – which continues in chapter 64 – would be a help to the people of God, as they looked to Him and waited on Him to send His servants – Cyrus first, then the great Servant Who brings salvation to the world – and restore them to their City.

Perhaps it could be a help to you today?

Prepare.
1. Do you ever experience the kind of separation from the Lord Isaiah describes here? Explain.

2. How could you use this prayer to seek revival for yourself and your church? How would you rewrite this prayer for that purpose?  

3. How is it evident that God rules in your life (v. 19)?

Here onwards the prophet prays for every nation, and in the person of the Israelites he presents his supplication. He prays that God will withhold his wrath from them and cease rebuking them and in a forgiving manner subdue Israel’s desertion; for there was no one on earth for them other than the true God, one having a glorious home in heaven, their father. Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 Ad), Commentary on Isaiah 5.5.63.15-17

Lord, help me to pray; guide my prayers today so that I…

Pray Psalm 51.1-13

As you pray, listen for the Spirit to convict you of any sins. Seek the filling of the Spirit, and commit to walking in Him throughout the day ahead.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 51.1-13 (Passion Chorale: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded)
Be gracious to me, Savior, according to Your love!
According to Your mercy, my sins, my sins remove!
O wash me, precious Savior, and cleanse me from all sin; 
look on me with Your favor, and cause my grief to end.

Against You only, Savior, have I become unclean; 
thus just the condemnation which You pronounce on me.
Lord, I was born to sinning, while You seek truth within; 
To wisdom my heart winning, release me from my sin!

In Jesus’ blood and mercy, Lord, cleanse my evil heart!
Let me washed, cleansed, renewed be and pure in whole and part.
Bring joy again and gladness; look not upon my sin.
Deliver me from sadness; renew me yet again!

Create in me a clean heart, renew me from within!
Take not Your Spirit from me because of all my sin.
Salvation’s joy restore, Lord, and keep me in Your hand;
thus shall I tell Your strong Word to sinners in the land.

T. M. Moore

If you value Scriptorium as a free resource for your walk with the Lord, please consider supporting our work with your gifts and offerings. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button  at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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