Morning Prayer - End of the Thought Spiral

Father,

I come before You with my head full of thoughts, spiraling downward. You know what it is like when I feel so tragically trapped in these patterns, in this obsession that steals my life and my joy.

But then You spoke to me. In the silence of my heart, You showed me that I have the power to break this spiral. That I am not a passive victim of my thoughts, but that by Your grace, I have a choice.

Thank You for this realization that broke my fall.

Lord, You know my battle. The words of Paul are so real to me as I confess that I am at war with myself. My inmost being longs for You, but something within me resists—a struggle that calls for a heart without pride.

“For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” (Romans 7:22-23)

Please, help me today to use the tools You have given me. Above all, Your Word, which has the power to reach where I cannot, to discern between spirit and soul, between truth and falsehood.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Teach me to redirect my thoughts, as one would redirect a small, frightened, and lost child. Help me to say to myself: “Stop. You are loved. You are okay. You do not need to panic. You can choose a different path.”

I want to learn to come to You with the heart of a little child, who simply trusts Your voice of truth, rather than the noise in my own head.

Lord, where my attention goes, energy flows, and new connections grow. Therefore, today I consciously direct my attention to You. Help me to forge new paths in my mind, new neural pathways that lead to You, not away from You.

I no longer want what I dwell on to become my bleak reality. I want You to become my reality. Therefore, help me today to meditate on what is truly Yours and worthy of praise.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

I believe that as I fix my thoughts on You and trust in You, I will find a peace that surpasses all understanding. This is Your promise.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Thank You for being a God whose reach is longer than any of my fixations. Thank You because the change that once seemed impossible has been made possible through You. I entrust my thoughts and my heart to You for this day.