David asked for God to examine his heart in Psalm 139 when he asked God to search me. It made sense because God already knew what was there.
In a similar examination, God sent Jesus into the desert to reveal what was in his heart. He did not send him there to taunt, interrogate or humiliate him. The tempter would do that. Instead, God sent him there to refine, shape, invigorate, and prepare him for what lay ahead. Since what is in the heart comes out when there are no other distractions, it was important to start there.
It's true for us, too. Asking God to search our heart is like asking a friend to come to your house and look through all your closets and drawers and tell you what you don’t need. Only the most trusted person in your life has all access to the secret places. God is the only one who should occupy that place. Out of the trust you have in His all-for-you love, you ask him to conduct a thorough search of your heart. It’s the place where dreams grow. It’s the center of who you think you are and who you want to be. It’s the place where you hide your hurts and raw rejections.
Search me is an invitation, not an inquisition. God will not break down the door to enter. And He’s not looking for what will make you look bad. He’s looking to help you actualize every prayer you have ever prayed to become everything God knows you can be.
When search me becomes the first prayer we pray, no matter what unfairness or life reversal; we become the clay that God can and will shape. It is a trust exchange. We trust God to tell us the truth and God trusts us to do the right thing with it. In that exchange there is always enough strength to let go, confess, repent, forgive, and grow.
If you are also following the 40-day devotional guide, Following Jesus to the Cross, you will join us as we continue to explore this beautiful and frightening prayer of examine. If you don't have a copy, you can get by clicking the button below.
Pray the search me prayer several times every day. Pray it before you self-analyze yourself or a situation. When you pray this prayer honestly, freeing growth and empowering protection waits! God, with His pure and powerful love, wants nothing but the best for you. Let the search begin!
My Prayer
Loving Father,
Take the light you fuel by love and
Look into every corner of my heart.
I want to know my heart the way you do.
I want to understand what helps me and hurts me.
I trust no one else with this invitation
Because I know you will give me Truth.
You already know my heart.
I am the one who doesn’t.
Waiting for inspection!
If you haven't received your free devotional guide for Lent, you can get it here: Following Jesus to the Cross.