The near instinctive and universal affirmation of many of the Ten Words speaks to the foundational truth that we are created to desire what God desires, a whole and holy life, even if we are not always consistent nor right in how we go about crafting such an existence. The tension between our desire and what we see, between longing for light and journeying through darkness, is why we pray Psalm 139:23-24 or some variation so often, including today.

So let us ask our good Father to know our hearts in our relations to those we make a life with, and lead us in the clarity of His love for us and them.

Father, we come to You because our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake, and we are called Your children because of His love for us.
Father, we come to You because we desire what You desire and want nothing more than to live the fullness of Your life in us.
Father, search us and know our hearts. Show us if there is any dishonor, violence or in-fidelity, any deception or dishonesty towards those in our lives (even the ones we fail to see).
Father, create in us pure hearts, and let the love of Jesus lead us to see clearly the way before us to live whole and holy together.
Because Jesus lives and is pressing back the darkness already, we pray. Amen.