Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
I have always thought that fasting is for those who are holy. So clearly it was not for me. I have a lot of sins. But in the past few years, I have realized that fasting is not for the holy. It is for the desperate. For those who need Jesus to move and work and do miracles on their behalf. And that sounds a lot like me.
My brother-in-law, Van, says that fasting is a physical way of saying, “Jesus, I want what You want more than what I want.”
Because let’s just be honest. What I want is a chocolate bar. I don’t fast perfectly. I tend to fast in fits and starts. I often put limits on Jesus with my prayers. I may even try to strong-arm Him a little to get what I want. I know that never ends well. I told you up front…I’m not that holy.
But really—most of the time—I don’t want what Jesus wants more than what I want. I want what I want. I want healing or breakthroughs or miracles on my terms. I want what I want when I want it. I may shout, “Jesus, I want what You want!” But I usually end that shout with the whisper, “if it’s what I want.”
I have known myself long enough to know that I can’t change myself. But I have known Jesus long enough to know that He can. And so I am taking a page from King David’s playbook this morning. This is my prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God. And renew a right spirit within me. This is what I would love Jesus to do in me. I think He is already working on it. Because it is what He wants too.
Faith Step: Pray King David’s prayer for a clean heart. Ask Jesus to reshape your thinking and your desires so that you want what He wants in your life.
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Heavenly Father,
My desire is to have a clean and pure heart before You without the sinful desires, wickedness, bitterness, or anger that keeps me from You. Forgive me for sinning against You with my spirit, my actions, and my words. Please help me to retain the joy, happiness, and peace that You offer us throughout our trials. Because of the pain Lord, it is often difficult to smile and to keep myself from bitterness and anger.
Father, I cannot do any of this in my own power. My flesh is weak and I easily become bitter. I believe that Your grace is sufficient and that I can only have a pure heart in Your strength and power. Please grant me the strength, wisdom, and power to turn this situation over to You completely. Allow my spirit, actions, and attitudes to reflect You and Your immeasurable grace. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
revivedlife.com
Your Relationship with God
Many are struggling with their relationship with God. And quite often the reasons can be rather complexed. Have a deep analysis of yourself. Is there sin and guilt hampering your relationship with God?
Are you burdening yourself more than you should? Sometimes we become pre-occupied with the numbers, how many days of the week we pray, how many hours we study the Bible.
Instead, focus on Jesus Christ! Throughout the day, give praise, worship, thanksgiving and prayer! It may be just short one-minute communications with God.
But make a habit of speaking to the Lord and listening to his voice throughout your day.
Here are some great books to help restore your relationship with God.
- Pure Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Integrity
- Pure Heart: Restoration of the Heart Through the Beatitudes
- How to Study the Bible
- Change Your Life One Prayer at a Time
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Prayer for a Clean Heart
Oh God, heavenly Father! Lord Jesus Christ! Holy Spirit of the living God. Thank You for this, another chance and day You have given to me.
Help me to remove all the doubts and unclean thoughts that are inside my mind, heart, and soul now.
Let Your power be revealed in me and through me, oh God and create in me a clean heart.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, ” I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Wake my sleeping soul
Please wake up this sleeping soul. Use my life, oh God, for Your glory and let my life be the proof of Your unfailing love.
Oh, sweet Jesus! You never fail to amaze me. Your love remains in me.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Renew my heart
Please, Holy Spirit renew my mind, heart, and soul. Lord, all I want is to be with You. I don’t want my friends, family, and all the people that surround me to suffer in hell.
Oh God, heavenly Father, please freely use me and my life to be a living testimony of how Your power and wonders have worked in me. All this I ask and pray, in Jesus mighty name, Amen!
Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
17/PH
It doesn’t matter how slow I go, as long as I do not give up. Keep on climbing! No turning back. Jesus got my back. He is my one true love. Forever I am blessed and praying to be a blessing to you. #PrayerWarrior
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