Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Know – not merely an accumulation of information, but to know and understand. It’s a knowing that requires relationship
try – examine, test to prove an assertion
thoughts – specifically this refers to anxieties
grievous way – harmful, idolatrous patterns of life
Father, because my heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick (from Jeremiah 17), meaning that my heart will lie to me, I ask You to know my heart. I ask You to expose the affections and attitudes that keep me from total trust and surrender to Your will.
Show me my anxieties and my fears. Expose them to me so that I can get rid of them. They are harmful habits. Anxiety, fear, discontent are idolatry. I look to them as more powerful than You. That is sin. I repent. I thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness.
Please get me off the harmful path and lead me on the good path of obedience to You. Help me to trust You. Teach me how to obey.
Plea for Grace 