Father,
At the beginning of this day, I entrust to you my eyes, my thoughts, and my heart; guard them from all that would draw me away from you.
Lord, I come before you with a heart that yearns for you, yet I am aware of the world into which I step today. A world saturated with temptations that seek to turn my eyes and my heart from you. I ask you especially for strength and protection in the virtue of purity.
Your Word is so clear and direct in its warning.
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
Help me to understand, O Father, that my body is not my own, but a gift from you—a temple destined for your glory.
“The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” (1 Corinthians 6:13b)
Lord, I desire to live in a way that glorifies you in all things. I do not want sin to stain my life and my witness for you.
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” (Ephesians 5:3)
Therefore, I ask you this morning, grant me the strength to act decisively, to resist all that is not from you, and to consciously choose your path.
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
Lord Jesus, you went even deeper. You showed that sin begins not with the act, but in the heart and in the mind.
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
Father, guard me from relying on my own feelings and thoughts. My heart is deceitful and easily led astray. Your wisdom is the only certain path.
“Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be saved.” (Proverbs 28:26)
May your Word be my guide and my shield. Help me today to read it, to meditate on it, and to hide it in my heart as my most precious treasure.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
I know that in my own strength I cannot resist temptation. I need your Holy Spirit. Fill me with yourself, that I may walk in your power and not in the power of my flesh.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
Lord, help me to persevere in this trial. I know the battle for purity is not easy, but you have promised a reward to those who love you and endure.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
I ask you, Father, that this day I may walk in purity of thought, word, and deed. Guard my eyes from images that would sow the seed of lust. Guard my heart from thoughts that draw me away from you.
Guard also my loved ones, my family, and friends. Help us to be an encouragement to one another on the path to holiness.
Grant that in every person I meet, I may see a being created in your image, worthy of respect and love, not an object for the satisfaction of my own desires.
I ask all this in the mighty name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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