The rest of humankind, who weren’t killed by these plagues, didn’t change their hearts and lives and turn from their handiwork. They didn’t stop worshipping demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can’t see or hear or walk. They didn’t turn away from their murders, their spells and drugs, their sexual immorality, or their stealing. (Revelation 9.20-21 CEB)

God,

How is it you made me and yet I often seem determined to try and remake you into my own image?

I must be off my rocker to think I can downsize you or remake you into my own image so that the new “you” accepts my every , unholy, worldly desire.

May I not cast my cravings and worship them, but cast away my cravings and worship you!

I want anything and everything that takes your place in my life to be removed.

Whether you start with my hands and my handiwork, or with my heart and my heart disease, open my eyes and ears to see, hear, and identify the deaf, mute, and blind gods I worship that I stop and flee from them.

Amen.

I correct and discipline those whom I love. So be earnest and change your hearts and lives. Look! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to be with them, and will have dinner with them, and they will have dinner with me. (Revelation 3.19-20 CEB)

ear·nest: resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction; synonyms are serious, severe, and zealous.

God,

When I feel your the rod of your correction, may it impress on me how you love me too much to leave me undisciplined and set in my selfish ways.

As intense feelings well up in me under your discipline, may those emotions serve to not make me bitter, but only better.

As you meet me where I am and invite me again and again into your presence and goodness, may I throw open my heart and mind to your great love by changing my heart and life.

Amen.

These are the words of the one who holds God’s seven spirits and the seven stars: I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, and you are in fact dead. Wake up and strengthen whatever you have left, teetering on the brink of death, for I’ve found that your works are far from complete in the eyes of my God. So remember what you received and heard. Hold on to it and change your hearts and lives. … If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (Revelation 3.1-3a,6 CEB)

God,

I don’t want to live my life based on what others think of me.

I want to live my life based on my perception of you and your will which you reveal to me.

For you are the One who knows the real me.

You are the One who cares most of all whether I live or die.

So when I grow forgetful of you, joggle my memory and help me to remember what you’ve said.

When you bring to my mind your word, move me to grab it and not let go.

When I start to fall asleep at the wheel, shake me and wake me.

When I grow weak, fill me with your strength.

For I want your work in me to be unhindered and my works for you complete.

Amen.

But I have this against you: you put up with that woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. You allow her to teach and to mislead my servants into committing sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to change her heart and life, but she refuses to change her life of prostitution. Look! I’m throwing her onto a sickbed. I am casting those who have committed adultery with her into terrible hardship—if they don’t change their hearts from following her practices … (Revelation 2.20-22 CEB)

God,

Enable me to ever see sin for what it is; do not allow me to become blind to its shamefulness.

May I not be taken in by sin’s false claims; let me not be deceived by unbridled, unholy desires.

If I am caught up in a sin, in your mercy, send whatever is necessary to shake me from my rebellion against you.

Deliver me from evil; deliver me from self-destruction.

Amen.