Saturday, January 24, 2026

There's something brave about the words from this scripture:  

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; 

test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

Point out anything in me that offends you, 

and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

The author, David, isn’t asking God to change his circumstances - he's inviting God to search him and look beneath the surface.

Then David takes it a step further and asks God to “point out” what he might be avoiding, and to gently reveal what's out of alignment.

Why would David record this brave prayer? I think it's because he knows our hearts are a source of sin, and sin separates us and allows our hearts extra space to drift from God.

As we step back to reflect on what we've discovered about the drift this week, remember that the warning signs don't always announce themselves loudly. Sometimes they hide in anxious thoughts, habits we excuse, or attitudes we protect.

By calling on God to search our hearts, we allow him space to work through the human nature that weighs us down, and we can trust that this will ultimately lead us back to life.

Prayer is one way we can work to close the space that sin creates and open it up for God to work. A simple but effective way to pray is breath prayer.

Breath prayer slows us down enough to notice what's happening on the inside and surrender it to God in real time.

Using some words from Psalm 139:23-24 as an example, try out this breath prayer right now:

As you inhale, pray:

“Search me, O God.”

As you exhale, pray:

“Lead me to everlasting life.”

Repeat as needed.

Reflect on this prayer, and allow it to become a resource for your day. Use it when you feel guilt, anger, greed, jealousy, or pride creep in, or when you sense resistance in your heart.

God is faithful to reveal what needs adjusting and gentle enough to walk you toward the path of everlasting life.

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting - Day 20
Today’s Prayer Focus: For Growth  

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am not who I was before I met you—and it’s all because of you. Thank you for the growth I have been through, and I’m grateful that you’re not finished with me yet! Teach me to be more and more like your Son every day. Help me to submit humbly to the situations you use to change my heart, even when I wouldn’t choose them for myself. Above all else, may I grow in love for you and for others. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. 

Series Theme Verse:
Hebrews 2:1
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

This post was written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content for the Daily LivingItOut.