The liturgy has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. From the small country church of my family of origin to the countless churches of my adult life, the liturgy has marked the rhythm of my weeks and my days. Because of this, there are portions of various liturgies that are so deeply imprinted on my heart that they often rise to the surface of my thoughts at unexpected moments, playing over and over again in my mind like a podcast of grace on repeat.
Various musical versions of “Create in Me” from Psalm 51 are a regular earworm accompanying me in both work and my play. Most often it is either the version of my childhood from the old Service Book and Hymnal, or it is Keith Green’s song from my college years that I hear in my thoughts. Whatever the hymn tune, “Create in Me” is like an old friend that has been, and I expect will be with me all the days of my life.
A dear friend of mine, Fred Niedner, says that “we sing the liturgy over and over again so that we know how to do it for the times that we really need it.” We sing the liturgy so that it can carry us through the joys and sorrows of our lives, giving voice to who we are and who God is in relationship with us.
In the words of Psalm 51, David’s repentant prayer, we join our hearts and minds in both repentance and hope with God’s people across time and space. With these words we fall into the arms of the living God, laying bare our own personal brokenness and the collective brokenness of our world, trusting that God will meet the cries of our hearts with mercy. We trust that in this meeting of the holy and the human, God will bring new life from the ashes of our afflictions and raise us again from the dust of our death–to life.
Perhaps during this holy time of Lent, “Create in Me” will be a companion on your journey, restoring you each day with the joy of God’s salvation–a joy that wells up in you as a fountain of living water, springing up to eternal life.
For all the ways that I have fallen short and failed–
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
For all of the ways that I have been turned in on myself, instead of out toward my neighbor–
Put a new and right spirit within me.
In my brokenness and despair–
Do not cast me away from your presence.
In my contrition and need–
Do not take your holy spirit from me.
Because you marked me with your cross and sealed me with your Spirit–
Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
For all that you call me to do this day–
Sustain in me a willing spirit.
AMEN.
Rev. Dr. Charlene Rachuy Cox
Director of Contextual Education
Wartburg Theological Seminary
