Day 10: A Deep Clean for the Soul
Bible passage: Romans 8:5–6; Psalm 51:10–12
Dust in the Corners
Today is Sunday 10th of January 2021. Welcome to Day 10 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. We are almost at the halfway point. Today we ask God to go a little deeper.
If you have ever pulled a sofa away from the wall after a few years, you will know the feeling. The room looked clean. You had hoovered every week. But behind the furniture there was a layer of dust, a lost sock and things you would prefer not to describe.
A life can be like that. We can worship, pray and read our Bibles, and still things collect quietly out of sight: a resentment, a cynical attitude, a habit, a tiredness of soul. Serving God, which used to be a joy, becomes a chore.
Two Ways to Set the Mind
What Has Your Attention?
Paul says that people who are ruled by the sinful nature think about sinful things, and people who are led by the Holy Spirit think about the things that please the Spirit (Romans 8:5). The mind is where the battle is fought. What we dwell on shapes what we become.
Death or Life
“But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” Romans 8:6 (NLT)
Paul is not telling us to earn anything here. The chapter opens with the news that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). He is describing two directions, and inviting those who have the Spirit to live in line with Him.
David’s Prayer
Psalm 51 is the prayer David prayed after his worst failure. He does not ask God to tidy him up. He asks for something new.
He asks for a clean heart and a loyal spirit (Psalm 51:10). He asks God not to take the Holy Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11). And he asks for the joy of his salvation to be restored, and for a heart that is willing to obey (Psalm 51:12).
Notice what David missed most. It was joy. Sin and clutter steal our joy long before they take anything else.
Letting the Light In
Three Steps for Today
Ask God to search you. Pray the words of Psalm 139:23–24, then sit quietly and write down whatever He shows you.
Clear something out. Choose one thing that has been feeding the wrong appetite, and remove it.
Fill the space. Paul tells us to fix our thoughts on what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely and admirable (Philippians 4:8). Decide what you will put in its place.
When God has done this work in us, serving Him stops being something we have to do. It becomes something we want to do again.
Prayer for Today:
Father, search me and know my heart. Show me what has built up where I have not been looking. Forgive me for letting my love for You grow lukewarm. Create in me a clean heart and renew a loyal spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and set my mind on the things of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
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