Search Me, Know Me, Lead Me

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

—Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)

Holy God,

Search me and know my heart—and by the continuing work of the power of Christ in me, point out and remove anything that is offensive to You, so I can walk more perfectly with You the path that leads to everlasting life.

As You test the integrity of the motives my heart and as You reveal my secret fears, grant me the strength to endure Your testing and the faith to overcome my fears—so I might learn to let all my trust and hope remain in You.

Grant me the courage to allow You to shine the light of Your love on the hidden places of my heart to dispel the darkness—indeed the evil—of anything in me that offends You, as I repent and run to You.

Grant me the peace and the joy that comes when I invite You to lead me down the path of everlasting life—to that place where nothing remains that would keep me from that close, personal, intimate relationship that You desire to have with me, and which I so desperately need to have with You.

Search me and know my heart—and by the continuing work of the power of Christ in me, point out and remove anything that is offensive to You, so I can walk more perfectly with You the path that leads to everlasting life.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

To Continually and Forever Remain

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

—John 15:4 (NLT)

Gracious Father God,

Let me continually and forever remain in Jesus Christ—for He is my Lord, my Savior and the very source of my life.

Help me always to abide with Him—to inseparably link every aspect of my life to Him—and live in according to the Truth which He came to declare to us all, comforted by the knowledge that He will remain in me.

For it is only in Christ—through my openness to receive the full measure of grace and truth that He pours out over me—that I find everything that I need to accomplish every plan and purpose for which He has uniquely crafted and equipped me.

And without Him I cannot produce any good thing—I cannot fulfill Your will for me—and I cannot enjoy the privilege of being used to be a part of the great things that You are doing in the lives of those all around me.

So, help me to be fruitful—producing good works which are a reflection Your amazing love, truth, and grace—so that others might see Christ in me and give You the glory, honor, and praise that You are due.

Let me continually and forever remain in Jesus Christ—for He is my Lord, my Savior and the very source of my life.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

And You Will Find Rest for Your Souls

This is what the LORD says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
    Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.
    But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

—Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT)

O LORD, My God,

Save me from any rebellious tendency of my heart to wander from Your perfect path, the path that leads me to the very best that You have planned for me—the only path where I will find rest for my soul!  Let me never say, “No, that’s not the road I want!”

At every crossroads of life, help me to stop and look around—to take the time to carefully consider the ways that are set before me—and not just plow ahead following after my own fleshly desires or the ways of this world.

Remind me to ask, “What is the wise thing to do? The proven and godly way to go? The very best that You have for me?”—then grant me the faith to walk with You, my eyes fixed upon You, as You unfold Your plan before me, one step at a time.

Help me choose to travel the best path, knowing that along that path I will find rest for my soul—I will remain at peace and be filled with joy—as you provide, protect and keep me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually whole.

Save me from any rebellious tendency of my heart to wander from Your perfect path, the path that leads me to the very best that You have planned for me—the only path where I will find rest for my soul!  Let me never say, “No, that’s not the road I want!”

In the name of Jesus, Amen.