We try many things to heal individuals, families, churches and cities. Families go to counselors hoping that family relationships improve. Churches try programs hoping for growth and better health among its members. City reaching efforts include many strategies to bring the whole Gospel to the whole city seeking transformation in individuals and organizations. Each of these actions are helpful, but what addresses the core to heal individuals, families, churches and cities? Psalm 51 provides a blueprint for healing these various spheres.
Take Personal Responsibility for Sin
David prayed that God’s lovingkindness would remove, wash and cleanse him from known sin. He acknowledged that his sin was against God, the qualified righteous and pure judge (Ps. 51:1-4). Take personal responsibility for sin by confessing it to God since He is only one who can cleanse you.
Cooperate Through An Obedient Heart
Since every person is born a sinner, allow God’s truth, wisdom and purity to enter your innermost being. Those with a sensitive and obedient heart experience joy and gladness (Ps. 51:5-9). God works through His word, but requires a cooperative and an obedient heart.
Call Upon Holy Spirit to Cleanse Your Heart
Ask God through the power of the Holy Spirit to create a clean heart in you. As you become spiritually revived and excited in your relationship with God, He opens doors for ministry to believers and unbelievers. You will teach God’s way to believers in confessing sin and lift up Christ to unbelievers so they believe in Him (Ps. 51:10-13). Cleansing by the Holy Spirit revives you and opens doors for ministry to others.
God Defines Success By a Broken Heart
A cleansed heart results in singing God’s righteousness and praising His name. God hates it when people go through the motions of religious observances, but loves a broken and contrite heart that aware of sin (Ps. 51:14-17). Healing occurs when hearts are broken, not through human strategies.
Healing of Individuals, Families, Churches and Cities Occur When God’s People Pray with Broken Hearts
What will it take to see healing of individuals, families, churches and cities? God answers prayer for healing or “build the walls” of an individual, family, church or city when believers in Christ pray in unison with broken hearts. Walls literally mean “strength, army or wealth” (Ps. 51:18-19).
The first step for Nehemiah in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was confessing sin in himself and his father’s house (Neh. 1:5-8).
Click on this video to review these principles. Begin to confess your sins and pray that God rebuilds the wall in your family, church and city.
