A Prayer for the Heart
(From the book Prayers I, by Dr. Mary Craig)

Holy Father, I thank You for Your presence in my life. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; but certainly God has heard; You have given heed to the voice of my prayer (Ps. 66:18,19). My heart shall live forever (Ps. 22:26). I keep my heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Prov. 4:23). My heart is fixed: I will sing-and give praise (Ps. 57:7).

You, Lord, search the heart, try the reins, even to give every person according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (Jer. 17:10). For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts and such as defiles the person (Matt. 15:19). Therefore, I pray God that the thought of my heart may be forgiven me (Acts 8:22).

May I serve You with a perfect heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If I seek You, I will be found of you, but if I forsake You, I will be cast off (1 Chr. 28:9).

Create in me a clean heart, O, God, and renew a right spirit within me. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise (Ps 51:10). You are nigh unto me who has a broken heart: and you save me as one with a contrite spirit (Ps. 34:18).

I prepare my heart to seek the Lord, and will love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my might. And the words, which the Lord has commanded me shall be in my heart (Deut. 6:5,6). O that there were such a heart in me that I would fear You, and keep all Your commandments always, that it might be well with me (Deut. 5:29).

My merry heart makes a cheerful countenance. My heart has understanding and seeks knowledge. I have a continual feast (Prov. 15:13-15). Give me a heart of flesh that I may walk in Your statutes, and keep Your commandments, to do them (Ezek. 11:19,20)….

Your Word is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of my heart (Heb. 4:12). Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You (Ps. 119: 11). I shall run the way of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart (Ps. 119:33). Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way (Ps. 139:23,24). I love You, Lord.

In Jesus Name, Amen.