Thoughts as Incense

Spreading The Truth One Byte At A Time

By Ron Bender© 2008, 2013

Have you ever tried to pray but your thoughts were all over the place? Distracting thoughts are great enemies of prayer.  They can be like buzzing bees that drive us crazy! Our thoughts dart to and fro and in our minds we desperately try to swat them away.

When out in the woods I would build a fire or buy those torches to ward away insects. It lasted awhile. Of course, then the bees or other distracting insects would came back! Lord, help me to keep the fire going!  Guard my mind and heart with your peace (Colossians 3:1-3).

I always wanted to have my own prayer room in which I could light candles. For me the atmosphere of flickering flames and the aroma of incense is conducive to the presence of God.

The Word of God helps inflame the Spirit in our heart and burn away the distracting thoughts until little by little we can center ourselves in God’s presence and our thoughts became as incense… like a smoke screen to ward off distracting thoughts

Try centering yourself in a Psalm 118 Prayer to calm down your anxious thoughts till they rise as incense prayers to God. Enjoy God’s presence. Re-kindle the fire as often as you can.

Thoughts as Incense (A Prayer from Psalm 118:8-14)

It’s better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in myself;

It’s better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in my thoughts.

~

Distracting thoughts surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.

They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord Jesus I cut them off.

They swarmed around me like bees; in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I cut them off.

~

I was about to fall, but the Lord freed me from diversion;

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

~

It’s better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in myself;

It’s better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in my thoughts.

~

Distracting thoughts surrounded me, but the fire of the Spirit in me burn them as incense.

They surrounded me on every side, but the fire of the Holy Spirit in me burn them as incense.

They swarm around me like bees; the fire of the Holy Spirit of Christ in me burn them as incense.

~

I am besieged, but the Lord flames my thoughts into prayers;

The Lord captivates me with his glory! He is the delight of my heart!

*******

Do you struggle with anxiety? Read Bible Verses for the Soul: Anxiety Antidotes.

 

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Ron

Ronald Bender- President/CEO Bender Consulting.~http://www.benderbytes.net/bender_consult