A Prayer to Audit Our Thoughts
By Ashley Moore
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…" - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
I asked my husband to repair a few things around the house, and he said my expectations were unrealistic. I struggled to hide my annoyance but realized my response was due to an underlying lie I've struggled with often. Do you relate to any version of this particular lie?
- I'll be at peace after this house is spotless.
- If I could get my to-do list done, I'd feel better.
- If I didn't have to worry about everything going wrong around me, I could finally rest.
On the surface, these lies seem fairly harmless, right? It's not bad to want your yard to be nice, house clean, or have a completed to-do list. The danger of this thought pattern was the underlying belief I needed a certain set of external circumstances to be happy, to rest, and to have peace. External circumstances are not a stable place to put our hope. Only Jesus can sustain our constant need for fulfillment. Everything else is like building our house on sinking sand. As soon as a slight rain or wind comes along, we find our footing washed out from under us (Matthew 7:26-27).
The battle between our ears has to be fought vigilantly. I was so busy trying to solve the problem I was experiencing in my flesh by making a to-do list, putting my husband to work, and working us both into a tizzy trying to get everything finished. But that is not the way to be victorious over our thought lives. So, how do we fight this unseen battle? We have to audit our thoughts like our bank accounts and account for what we think about. We often become frustrated chasing peace and rest because our thoughts don't align with God's Word. When that happens, we can replace those thoughts with the truth from Scripture. I constantly replace lies with truth, knowing my relationship with Jesus is the only thing that fully satisfies and gives me peace. Jesus is better than a clean house, neat yard, or superhero husband. As we audit our thoughts and align them with the Word of God, we experience what our hearts are truly after. They were designed to be fulfilled by an intimate connection with our Creator.
Let's pray:
Jesus,
Thank you for illuminating the vulnerability of our minds and the temptation to remedy weakness in our power. Forgive us for believing other things will satisfy as only You can. It must break your heart to see your children chasing something that will never bring them the peace and rest we desperately crave. But Lord, thank you for gently drawing our attention to these behaviors and beckoning us into a deeper relationship with you. Lord, please continue to show us how you can fully satisfy and give us peace that surpasses our circumstances and understanding. Lord, help us to become great displays of your marvelous power and love to an onlooking world desperate for you! Thank you for using our lives for Your purpose despite our shortcomings. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Photo Credit:©Getty Images/Vadym Pastukh
Listen to Greg Laurie's New Show!
Everyone talks about life after death, but what about life during life? Do you wonder, 'Why am I here? How can I be truly happy? Does my life matter, or why do I feel empty inside?' And, 'What really happens when I die?' Pastor Greg Laurie has helped millions find profound hope through true faith. On "The Greg Laurie Show," he transparently shares his own journey from hopelessness, addiction, and abuse to a spiritual revolution that transformed everything. Drawing on decades of impactful ministry, Greg tackles life's deepest questions, offering timeless biblical wisdom, practical guidance, and a compelling vision for a life radically transformed by Christ. Join Pastor Greg as he navigates today's cultural challenges, unpacks spiritual truths, and empowers listeners to discover lasting joy and meaning in a relationship with God.
Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below
