In order to move forward in something new and different, we need to renew our minds. To do that, our minds need a new connection.
Repentance can feel like a heavy word. Maybe it’s a new word altogether for you. But repentance is the way God uses to change us.
When we recognize our bad news, it is a watershed moment. Hopefully you’ve been digging deep and asking God to reveal what is playing on repeat. It may take days or weeks, but I hope a pattern emerges to you. Write down those thoughts or tell them to a friend, so you’ll be more apt to snatch them out of space when you think them.
When you realized the junk you were preaching to yourself, you took your heavy heart to God in sorrow and asked Him to change your mind — which is what repentance is about. We really can do that! It may feel foreign to do, but we pray for physical healing from things like cancer or injuries we’ve suffered in an accident. We clearly believe that God can work at a cellular level.
When we feel frustrated or stuck in our ruts of false belief, we can pray that God will change the very neural pathways in our brain. We can ask Him to rewire the innermost parts of our minds on a biological level. He created us. He knit us together in our mothers’ bellies. He can change the way my brain tangles together and makes connections. Do you believe that too?
Let’s practice together. We can pray this prayer when we’re feeling the effects of our false beliefs:
Father, in Jesus’ name, I shall prosper and be in health, even as my soul prospers. I have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. I trust in You, Lord, with all my heart; I lean not unto my own understanding, but in all my ways I acknowledge You, and You shall direct my paths.
Today I submit myself to Your Word, which exposes and sifts and analyzes and judges the very thoughts and purposes of my heart. (For the weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through You to the pulling down of strongholds—intimidation, fears, doubts, unbelief, and failure.) I refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of You; and I lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Today I shall be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is Your good and acceptable and perfect will. Your Word, Lord, shall not depart out of my mouth; but I shall meditate on it day and night, that I may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then I shall make my way prosperous, then I shall have good success.
My thoughts are the thoughts of the diligent, which tend only to plenteousness. Therefore, I am not anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition,* with thanksgiving, I present my requests to You. And Your peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
Today I fix my mind on whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious. If there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, I will think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix my mind on them].
Today I roll my works upon You, Lord [I commit and trust them wholly to You; You will cause my thoughts to become agreeable to Your will, and] so shall my plans be established and succeed.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
