prayer for self-examination
Written by Kenisha Sanders Liddy
Bible reading:
Let us examine our ways, test them, and return to the Lord. – Lamentation 3:40
Listen or read below:
Imagine living for God, reading the Bible, and serving in your local church, only to have your deeds burned to ashes. Works cannot save us, but God saved us because of good works. The deeds we do here will be exchanged for a crown in heaven…a crown we throw at the feet of Jesus.
We believe we are living in the last days and the second coming of our Lord and Savior is near. That’s why it’s so important to look at yourself every day. We just tested and investigated ourselves and should not take any action on the results found. God tells us through the prophet Jeremiah to return to the Lord.
The disciple James talks about looking in the mirror and seeing our faces. When we notice that our face is dirty and walk away and forget to clean it, we are deceiving ourselves. This is not what God wants. God wants us to be doers of His Word. When trials arise in our lives, we should rely on God to guide us, test and examine the state of our hearts, and return to Him.
Are there areas in your life that need searching? Do you get angry easily? Is your tongue ruled by flesh? Do you find it very difficult to forgive? Are you out of communion with God?
Jerusalem was in turmoil. God’s people were in such a state because of God’s judgment on their murmurings and complaints. They neglected to think about God’s mercy. And often we are in the same situation. We either don’t realize God’s grace, mercy, and goodness, or we take it for granted. This is evident in how we complain and complain.
Jerusalem recognized the need for a separate internal audit. They needed to seek God and test and examine their ways. Because there was no value in departing from God’s Word. It was not worth it to ignore God and look around.
Every day in the life of believers we should set aside time to examine ourselves before God. But our important scriptures call for more than introspection. It requires a complete turning from sin-blocking, sin-troubling, and wrong thinking.
Jerusalem was left in ruins because of its own sins. The Babylonians occupied it, but God allowed it as a punishment. Often, we choose to sit in the comfortable dirt for longer than necessary, which hinders our recovery.
Don’t just listen to the Word, do what the Word says. Look in the mirror right away and cleanse yourself. Let us turn to the Lord and allow Him to restore us, cleanse us, and restore us to fellowship with Him.
And instead of complaining, continue to be grateful for the good things God provides, even in the midst of trials. Because you can always be sure that God’s blessings far outweigh the bad.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father,
I humbly bow before you and first of all thank you for your goodwill towards me. God, please search for me! If there is an evil way in me, please return me to you. Please forgive me for everything I have done to you. Lord, I have sinned against You, and I obtain Your forgiveness.
Please clarify what I did with wrong motives and intentions. Draw me to You by showing me areas in my life that need to be tested and considered. I surrender control of myself and all that I have to you.
When you feel like complaining, praise you and help you be grateful. Help me to always seek You so that I may fulfill Your purpose of glorifying You through my life. Help me to continually examine whether I am walking in faith and serving You with a true heart of service.
When I murmur or complain, remember what happened to Jerusalem. Help me to glorify You no matter what I’m facing. Remember that You live in the praise of Your people, and give me the wisdom to turn my difficulties into praise.
Considering the goodwill you continually bestow upon me, I find that I have no reason to complain, dear Lord. I want to live a life completely surrendered to You, so please remind me often to examine myself so that my life can reflect my holy consecration to You.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: Pexels/Ismael Sanchez
Kenisha Sanders Liddy is a wife and mother. She is an avid reader and writer of wholesome romance novels. She believes in the sufficiency of the Bible and has a master’s degree in Biblical Counseling. Raised as a pastor’s child, she fell in love with the love of Jesus at an early age and wants to encourage others to live for Jesus through her words. You can find more of her musings at keneeshaliddie.com.
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Author Addison Bevier appears on Arlene’s Happy Home Podcast to talk about what sincere and non-good prayer actually looks like for you and your children. He shares why humility is a parenting superpower, how to guide children to “second purity,” and why the morning routine is the most spiritually important part of the day. Join us for a truly wisdom-filled conversation about prayer and Addison’s new book, A Word with God. If you like what you hear, follow Arlene Pellicane’s Happy Home Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
