Lord it seems wickedness is easy to find, I see it all around.
But the wickedness without is only a minor concern,
That which terrifies me lies within.(1)
Lord, deliver me from myself.
When I am overwhelmed with the tasks at hand, and rush frantically about,
Remind me that only a few things are important in this life,[2]
And deliver me from nearsightedness.
When I sit down to study and the phone rings or I suddenly feel hunger or thirst,
Remind me I need time alone with Your word.[3]
Lord, deliver me from distractions.
When I indulge in unhealthy foods and my energy is zapped,
Remind me that it can hinder my service to You,
And deliver me from all unhealthy appetites.[4]
Lord I know misery loves company so when I seek comfort by whining with another,
Remind me it only intensifies the pain and keeps me from finding true comfort in You.
Lord, deliver me from rationalizing self pity.
When I cannot see a certain sin in my life,
Expose me with Your light and show me my error that I may correct it,
And, deliver me from all denial of sin.
When I am tempted to watch shows that are immoral,
Remind me that watching sin glorified will make it more acceptable over time.
Lord, deliver me from cultural conformity.[5]
When I am in the presence of evil spoken and remain silent,
Remind me it will be assumed that I agree,
And deliver me from cowardly inaction.
When my thoughts are centered in self and I withdraw,
Remind me that too much isolation distorts reality and temptations increase.
Lord, deliver me from avoiding accountability.
When I consider the fall-out from past wrongs and break into a cold sweat,
Remind me of Your grace,[6]
And deliver me from obsessing over sins You have already forgiven.
When I feel too tired to try or even care,
Remind me others can still see my example.
Lord, deliver me from grumpiness.
When I only do what I feel like doing,
Remind me that only a commandment-motivated life holds an eternal reward,
And deliver me from a shallow, feeling-motivated existence.[7]
When I fail to speak a kind word to one in need,
Remind me I have also needed encouragement.
Lord, deliver me from being inconsiderate and unloving.[8]
When good intentions enter my mind but are never acted upon,
Remind me “faith without works is dead”,[9]
And deliver me from thoughtlessness and hypocrisy.
When temptations entice and I entertain the thought,
Remind me that the thought is always deceptive and the experience always falls short of Your joy.[10]
Lord, deliver me from using pleasure or escape in place of true joy.
When I see an opportunity to share Your word but do not utilize it,[11]
Remind me of the loving compassion You have shown me, [12]
And deliver me from blood stained hands.[13]
DELIVER ME from apathy towards Your Word.
DELIVER ME from abusing Your grace.[14]
Lord, if I continue to reflect on my wickedness I shall grow weak and despair.
So, instead, I will reflect on Your righteousness to gain strength and hope.
Fill me with Your power that I may overcome evil.
Cleanse me from wickedness that I may be a light to others,[15]
And DELIVER ME, into YOUR hands, for all eternity!
©2008 R.R. Heflin
Revised 2014
[1] Mark 7:20-23
[2] Luke 10:38-42
[3] Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 119:105; Matthew 4:1-4
[4] 1 Corinthians 6:12
[5] Romans 12:2
[6] Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9
[7] 1 John 2:15-17
[8] 1 Thessalonians 5:14
[9] James 2:14-20
[10] Galatians 5:16-24; James 1:13-17
[11] 1 Peter 3:15
[12] Romans 5:6-8; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Peter 2:9
[13] Ezekiel 33:8-9; Acts 20:26
[14] Romans 6:1-2ff
[15] Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:15-16
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