“Explore me, O God, and know the real me. Dig deeply and discover who I am.
Put me to the test and watch how I handle the strain.
Examine me to see if there is an evil bone in me,
and guide me down Your path forever.” Psalms 139:23-24 TV
I’ve always liked this prayer and have prayed it many times for myself, many times where I didn’t really know what I was praying. I grew up on the NIV84 version which says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Early on it seemed like just a good simple prayer to pray, but as I wrestled with my faith, it became a deeper more genuine prayer for authenticity. To that degree, this became a very dangerous prayer. One that I believe God answered in different ways than I thought and in many ways is still answering my prayer. In all the testing and strain, I believe my faith is deeper and stronger than ever before.
I want to encourage you to pray this prayer. Ask the Lord to guide you into the recesses of you heart to bring out a more genuine faith that worships the Lord with everything that you have and not just part of you. You’re journey will be different than mine for sure, but it will take courage to walk it. The most encouraging part of this prayer is that the Lord will lead you and guide you the entire journey so we need not be afraid.
Two Minutes with God 