The Psalm 51 prayer of repentance has been prayed as part of a public recitation since the middle of the 20th century in some churches. It is traditionally recited annually at noon on December 8th as the Hour of Grace. If you are not familiar with the story of how this prayer came to be and what horrible sins David committed (and the horrible punishment from God as a result), take a few moments to read about the incidents as recorded in 2 Samuel, chapters 11–12.
The tradition of the Hour of Grace began when Sr. Pierina Gilli, an Italian nun, began getting visions while in prayer in the 1940s. In one vision she was instructed to pray Psalm 51 three times with arms outstretched. This was to be done in reparation for the many sins committed against God. The Hour of Grace was to be offered on December 8 at noon, and many graces would be given to those who prayed Psalm 51 in atonement for sin.
This method of praying Psalm 51 can be done privately at any time. If you have deep sorrow for a sin you have committed, consider taking it to prayer before Jesus. Go to the nearest chapel and pray this prayer on your knees, with arms outstretched, and with complete sorrow for what you have done. The Lord will give you mercy, and assist you in your journey back to His Sacred Heart.
"And I tell you, every one who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."
Desire for Repentance is a Grace from God
Repentance is at the core of our faith. Take the first step if your conscience is telling you to repent. While sin has its consequence, and God is a God of justice, He also is a God of mercy and love. Recognizing this loss of relationship with God and desiring reconciliation and renewal is the first step in repairing what was lost.
Turn away from sin and pray from the deepest part of your soul Psalm 51 prayer of repentance. Pray it in a posture of remorse and humility. Name your sins when you have finished this prayer.
Call upon the Holy Spirit to assist you and repeat the words a second time. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sins you have omitted that have offended God.
Pray it a third time. This time on your knees and arms outstretched. Meditate on the cross as you say the words. Physically imagine Jesus being pierced for your transgressions. Imagine the pain He endured in atonement for your sins. When you have finished this third recitation give the Lord your fiat. Promise Him to never again transgress against Him in such an evil manner ever again. Beg Him for the grace to amend your life and make steps to change, concrete steps, so that you do not fail in your promise to live for Christ and make yourself a temple for the Holy Spirit.
Now praise Him and give Him thanks for His love and mercy.
Psalm 51 a Prayer of Repentance
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your loving kindness; 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 ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight — that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart.
These, O God, You will not despise.
Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
Download and Print Psalm 51 Prayer of Repentance PDF
Download the Psalm 51 prayer for the Hour of Grace at noon on December 8.
One Response
I AM repenting to my sins before my Father in Heaven. If we confess with are mouth we are saved. I Believe that He died and rose again on the third day to forgive us of our sins. I forgive myself for everything I’ve done or said to hurt anyone. In Jesus name I pray, Amen 🙌🙏