Morning Devotional 022226 Creating a Clean Heart

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

February 22, 2026

Psalm 51:10-12

10 Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me! 11 Please don’t throw me out of your presence; please don’t take your holy spirit away from me. 12 Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Good Morning! This is a day of new beginnings!

Lent is a time to take an inventory of your spiritual wellness. During Advent, we had the exciting buildup to the birth of Christ. Of course, there was all the chaos that often accompanies celebrating Christmas. For the past six weeks, we examined the light of the Epiphany. 

Theoretically, we should be in a great place with our spiritual wellness. However, our physical, emotional, and mental health often get in the way. It’s winter, and we’ve had ice, snow, and dreary days, which affect our well-being. 

Then there are all the other facets of normal, everyday life. The challenges, the successes, and everything in between. In the midst of all this, we could use a boost. As we read of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness, it is appropriate for us to consider what tempts us or gets in the way of spending time with and relying on God.

That is where we can start our inventory. We can create a list of our distractions or barriers to our walk of faith. During Lent, it is appropriate to work on eliminating one of those distractions from our lives. The point is to purposely spend time with God. 

Sometimes those distractions are things like spending too much time on the computer. Other times, those distractions are the barriers we place when we avoid fear and uncomfortable situations. Each of us is called to listen to God’s calling in our lives. 

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! Help us let go of our distractions so that we may hear and see where you are leading us. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: Lenten practices prepare my heart and spirit to embrace the joy of spending time with God.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Pastor Liz