A Simple Prayer from Psalms for Keeping Your Heart Pure

Ever since I can remember, I’ve seen the quote, “Follow Your Heart.” Whether it be stitched onto a T-shirt, tattooed on someone’s arm, sitting pretty in a frame, written in a book, etc.

I only began to question this quote when I got older and started to make “high stake” kinds of decisions. Yeah, “Follow your Heart” sounded nice written in a Paulo Coelho book, but anything beyond that sounded very foolish and impulsive. It seemed like one of those quotes that has a person packing their life into a suitcase and booking the next one way plane flight to Asia.

Before giving my heart to God, this whole concept of using it as a compass didn’t help me much because I didn’t really trust myself (my heart). I was pretty good at trusting my gut instinct, but not 110% confident in letting that method guide me throughout life.

When I surrendered my life to God, I gave him the keys to make my heart His residency:

My son give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways. (Proverbs 23:26)

Because of this, I have a newfound peace in following my heart because I know that God is in control of it. I no longer get stuck or anxious second guessing my steps, but can instead take graceful strides in knowing that my decisions come from God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

To put it simply, God guides my steps and my only job is to ensure that my heart remains pure. Sounds easy right? But we all know keeping our hearts pure in a world as crazy as ours is hard!

Three checks for keeping your heart pure:

Diligence – Setting aside time for God

Think about your past week… did you make God a priority or did you put other “things” “feelings” “impulses” above Him?

Matthew 6:21 says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When we obediently seek out God’s voice amidst life’s noise, we show Him that He is the object our gaze and these moments of intimacy allow us to be comforted, filled with His joy, become more like Him, and be strengthened.

Practice Mindfulness

Above all else, guard your heart because everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)

I used to think this was a harsh verse because it’s telling me to put my guard up. Now, I realize it means protect your mind, body, and spirit (heart) from the filth and junk that this world tries to sell us. Instead, only allow all that is lovely, pure, and true to enter into your temple.

This can be from the outside-in: Protecting yourself from people/places that deep down in your heart make you think, “I really shouldn’t be here.” If that’s hard for you right now, because your current world is consumed by that of the flesh and you don’t know who or what you or your life would be without it, I urge you to give God the keys to your heart. At least a chance to show you that He is your comforter, healer, and He will give you abundantly beyond what you can ever want or need.

This can also be from the inside-out: Protecting your thoughts (i.e. self talk). Ensure that what you’re believing, thinking, and focusing upon is a reflection of the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, etc.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8)

Prayer

Everyday I ask God to make me more like him and take away anything is not from Him. It doesn’t have to be fancy. A prayer as short as Psalm 51:10 on your morning commute says it all:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

There you have it, now go follow your heart, and delight in every moment as you see the amazing plans God has for you to unravel!