Reading: Psalm 25:16-22

Lord Jesus,
help me to be open and transparent before you.
Take away all my sins.
My hope is in you.
Protect me the attacks of the enemy.
Deliver me from all my troubles. 
Amen.

— — —

Some men brought to him a paralyzed man,
lying on a mat.
When Jesus saw their faith,
he said to the man,
“Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

At this, some of the teachers of the law
said to themselves,
“This fellow is blaspheming!”

Knowing their thoughts,
Jesus said,
“Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
Which is easier: to say,
‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say,
‘Get up and walk’?
But I want you to know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
So he said to the paralyzed man,
“Get up, take your mat and go home.”
Then the man got up and went home.
When the crowd saw this,
they were filled with awe;
and they praised God,
who had given such authority to man.
(Matthew 9:7-12), NIV)*