Dear Lord,
You ask me to guard my heart so that I will be true to You. You ask that I not worship other gods, including my own selfishness. You ask this of me not because You are controlling but because You are trying to protect me from the destructive power of false gods birthed from my selfishness, misjudgments, or folly.
When my head is turned to other gods, including wealth, status, and power, bitterness creeps into my life. This root of bitterness comes from being jealous of others, and jealousy has the destructive power to rot my bones. Jealousy causes selfish ambitions powered not by the Holy Spirit but by the demonic powers of this world. Envy can cause disorder and results in vile practices. It is even more dangerous than cruel anger.
Help me to serve You alone and to have a heart of peace that gives life to my body. Help me to do nothing out of jealousy but instead to base my actions on love. Love never gives up. Love is kind. Love is not jealous. Love does not put itself up as being important. Love has no pride.
Lord, forgive me of my jealousy. I repent and turn away from such dangerous business. Restore my heart to love, and set me free from my selfish ambitions as I determine to trust You with my life.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Exodus 34:14 NIV
A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30 NIV
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
James 3:14–16 ESV
Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood,
but jealousy is even more dangerous.
Proverbs 27:4 NLT
Love does not give up. Love is kind. Love is not jealous. Love does not put itself up as being important. Love has no pride.
1Â Corinthians 13:4 NLV