Alphabetic prayer for guidance and forgiveness

An alphabet of lifting, waiting, and pardon

The speaker lifts his soul to the LORD and asks not to be put to shame, nor to let enemies exult. Those who wait on God are not ashamed; the wantonly treacherous are. Show me your ways, teach me your paths, lead me in your truth.

The incomplete acrostic slows the prayer. It is not a secret code. It is a form for staying in petition from aleph toward the end of the alphabet, holding guidance, guilt, and enemies as distinct rather than as one cause.

Sins of youth, a lonely affliction, and Israel's trouble

Remember your mercy, O LORD, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love. Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. The humble he leads.

For the sake of God's name, pardon is asked, for iniquity is great. Eyes stay toward the LORD, who plucks the feet out of the net. Turn to me, for I am lonely and afflicted; the troubles of my heart are enlarged. Guard my soul. Then the last line widens: redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Personal guilt is confessed; it is not a diagnosis of every pain, and not a clock for when shame must lift.