Fighting lust can feel like an uphill battle at times. If you find yourself struggling with sensual or selfish desires, there can be an overwhelming feeling of shame and condemnation. If this describes your current situation, I want to encourage you that this is a battle that can be won. Jesus came up against sexual temptation and was able to remain pure for you. When these temptations come your way, I pray that you will triumph over them in His name. Here are five prayers to help you overcome lust.
1. Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23 NLT
Jesus, I’m battling lustful thoughts and desires. They can seem so powerful at times, drawing my attention away from the things I should be thinking about. Help me to be more devoted to You, to take up my cross daily, and to keep my attention fixed on You. I know Your ways are superior to mine. Help me to be faithful in laying down the desires of my flesh to pursue deeper intimacy with You. In Your name, amen.
2. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. – Colossians 3:2 NLT
Lord, it’s difficult for me to keep fleshly thoughts at bay. Sometimes they are so intrusive that it feels like I’m being bombarded. Father, please help me to intentionally place my mind on the higher thoughts of heaven. Holy Spirit help me to remember that my mind is Your sacred place in the temple of my body. Through Your power, I can overcome all lustful thoughts. In Jesus’ powerful name, amen.
3. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT
Father, in today’s culture it can be difficult to remember what You want for me. Holy Spirit, remind me that the Lord’s will is for me to be holy and to resist all sexual sin. Lord, help me to keep Your desires for me hidden deep within my heart. Allow me to pursue them with sincere determination. In Your Son’s name, amen.
4. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as He is pure. – 1 John 3:2-3 NLT
Lord, in moments of feeling weak and tempted, I often forget that the goal of my life is to become more and more like You daily. Father, guide me to deepen my yearning for true purity. I’ve messed up in the past, but today, I choose to turn away from all sin. May my thoughts, words, and actions come into alignment with the truth of Your Word. You are fully committed to me, and so I am fully committed to You, and I ask for Your power in strength in this area of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
5. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. – Romans 13:14 NLT
Father, I confess to You the moments when I have made excuses in my heart for these sinful actions. I really want to break this destructive cycle in my life. Holy Spirit, redirect my thoughts when I’m struggling and remind me of Your presence with me now. May Your transformative power guide me to resist compromise and may I choose to walk in Your righteousness today. I pray all these things in the most holy name of Jesus Christ, amen.
