1 - Introduction - Living like a real Christian Heart - Three Ways to Live | Page 14

not.” In prayer, admit how deeply you have grieved and devalued Jesus, and ask
forgiveness. Sample prayer language:
“Lord, I see how repulsive idolizing this mere idol really is. In yearning after this, I was

trampling on your love for me. I realize now my lack of thankfulness, my lack of grateful
joy for what you have done for me.”

Sunday
Christ…
Rejoice in Christ…
The following prayers will not affect you unless—as you pray and praise and
meditate—the Spirit inscribes the gospel truths on your heart. It is not only important to
spend time repenting and rejoicing in fixed times of solitude and prayer; you must also
“catch” your heart when it begins falling into idolatry during the day, and you must draw
on your hard work of reflection by learningto quickly repent/rejoice your heart into
shape on the spot.
Sample rejoicing prayer for times of temptation
temptation:
“Lord, only in your presence are fullness of joy and pleasures forever more(Psalm 16 v

11), yet here am I trying to find comfort in something else. This thing I amtempted by is
just a pleasure that will wear off so soon, while your pleasure, thoughit may start small,
will grow on and on forever (Proverbs 4 v 18). Please remove my idolof pleasure,
which can never give me the pleasure I need.”
32–
Meditate on John 6 v 5–13 and 32–40.
Sample rejoicing prayer for times of anxiety:
“Lord, I live by your sheer grace. That means though I don’t deserve to havethings go

right, yet I know you are working them all out for good (Romans 8 v 28),because you
love me in Christ. My security in life is based neither on luck nor hardwork, but on your
gracious love for me. You have counted every hair on my head (Matthew 10 v 30–31)
and every tear down my cheeks (Psalm 56 v 8). You love me far moreand better than