Dear Lord,
When I focus on the things I shouldn’t, my thoughts lead me to act out with wrongdoing. Please forgive me for my failings and give me the strength to change my thought life so that I can focus on good things and do what pleases You. I give my thought life to You and ask that You direct it.
Like a mom who removes dangerous objects from her toddler’s reach, help me to remove those things from my life that tempt me.
As I ponder a way to break free from my sinful thought life, I realize that You understand. You sympathize with my weakness because You, Jesus, also walked this earth as a human being. You were tempted in the same ways I am tempted, with one big difference. You meditated on things above instead of on Your temptations. You walked sin-free.
Because You understand what I’m going through, You are able to give me the strength, and a plan to change my thought life whenever I am tempted. Remind me that I can call a friend, pray, read Your Word, leave the room, log off, run an errand, or change the channel.
I’m comforted by the fact that the temptations I experience are much the same as the temptations that others have conquered through You.
Lord, You are faithful. When I turn my eyes from what is tempting me and focus on You, You will make a way of escape.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
A man is tempted to do wrong when he lets himself be led by what his bad thoughts tell him to do.
James 1:14 NLV
Keep away from everything that even looks like sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 NLV
We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin.
Hebrews 4:15 GW
Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help others when they are tempted.
Hebrews 2:18 GW
You have never been tempted to sin in any different way than other people. God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted more than you can take. But when you are tempted, He will make a way for you to keep from falling into sin.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLV