Freedom to Pray

Prayer: Precious Savior, why do I fear your scrutiny. Yours is an examination of love. Still, I am afraid… afraid of what may surface. Even so, I invite you to search me to the depths so that I may know myself – and you – in fuller measure. AMEN.

Prayers of Examen

PRAYERS OF EXAMEN: CONSCIOUSNESS

YOU :
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

GOD:
(Listen as God speaks to you. Walk through the previous 24 hours, how has God been present around you? Record what comes to mind.)

God guiding you?

God trying to show you something?

God working in someone or something?

Something beautiful, insightful, or pure?

Other thoughts?

PRAYERS OF EXAM: CONSCIENCE

YOU :
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

GOD:
(Dialogue with God as you look into the some of the issues listed below. Record what comes to your mind. Limit it to the last 24-48 hours)

What have been the motives of your heart?

How have you treated others?

What are you hiding or trying to ignore?

How full is your love for God?

What are you being told to do by God but putting off? Why?

Other thoughts?

YOU :
Create in me a pure heart, O God, renew a steadfast spirit within me. Grant me a willing spirit.

GOD:
(How does God want to change today?)

Sample Prayer of Authority

"In the strong name of Jesus Christ I stand against the world, the flesh, and the devil. I resist every force that would seek to distract me from my center in God. I reject the distorted concepts and ideas that make sin plausible and desirable. I oppose every attempt to keep me from knowing full fellowship with God. By the power of the Holy Spirit I speak directly to the thoughts, emotions, and desires of my heart and command you to find your satisfaction in the infinite variety of God's love rather than the bland diet of sin. I call upon the good, the true, and the beautiful to rise up within me and the evil to subside. I ask for an increase in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

By the authority of almighty God I tear down Satan's strongholds in my life, in the lives of those I love, and in the society in which I live. I take into myself the weapons of truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, the word of God, and prayer. I command every evil influence to leave; you have no right here and I allow you no point of entry.

I ask for an increase of faith, hope, and love so that, by the power of God, I can be a light set on a hill, causing truth and justice to flourish. These things I pray for the sake of him who loved me and gave himself for me. -Amen." -Richard Foster

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