Spiritual Tool Box
Spirituality can be a big help when it comes to changing our behavior. In the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous the first three illustrate the importance of Spirituality in overcoming severe cravings, habits and addictions:
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1 We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
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2 We have come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
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3 We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
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Spirituality is an important part of habit change
The term spirituality can get confusing because there are so many variations of spirituality that people get involved in. In this program I have chosen to present Christian Spirituality. It has a strong written tradition which has been passed on for centuries through the Bible. The Bible is familiar to most people and readily available. There is the availability of churches in every neighborhood that can assist in your spiritual quest. There are Christian books, worship music and reference books that can help you with deeper understanding. Also there is an abundance of parachurch non-profits that you can work with.
Key points to remember:
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You can have a daily vibrant relationship with God. He cares for you! He can change your life!
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God can help you in your situation because He is all powerful, benevolent, all knowing and omnipresent
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God loves you and created you for a purpose – You are a unique creation of God. Paul writes,
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
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However, we are not perfect and can stray from His original purpose for us. Our misdeeds separates us from the love of God
We cannot even begin to fathom God’s Holiness and what our misdeeds does to our relationship with God! The Prophet Isaiah writes,
But your sins have made a separation between you and your God. (Isaiah 59:2).
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The logical penalty for our misdeeds is separation from God forever however
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God made a way for us to be forgiven and accepted even with all His Holiness. God loves us so much! So much that He came Himself in the form of Jesus Christ and died on the cross for all your misdeeds! He took your penalty! He died in your place so you could be forgiven. The Apostle John wrote perhaps the most famous verse in all of the Bible which says,
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Paul said it this way,
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
So what can you do?
What can remedy this situation? The Bible makes it clear that we must individually receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12)
Jesus taught it this way to Nicodemus,
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
How do we become born again?
By repenting of our misdeeds, letting God know how sorry we are and the accepting the death of Jesus on the cross as our payment for our wrong doing. We believe what the Bible says about Jesus and allow Him to be the ruler of our life. What does this mean? I like to think of it in terms of a serious relational commitment. We see this in a marriage ceremony. In fact, God uses marriage as an allegory of our relationship to Him. A bride and groom “receive” one another. They commit their love, allegiance and faithfulness to each other. Paul writes this,
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
This forgiveness of all our wrong doings, the receiving us as His own children is a free Gift of God. It cannot nor does it need to be earned. Paul writes,
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8).
And so we come to God because He loves us and we declare before Him that we are guilty of doing wrong.
We agree with Him that this separates us from Him and that we need to stop! We declare how sorry for all our wrong doing and we ask for His forgiveness. We acknowledge that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins and accept His death as our substitution. We ask for and receive His free gift of eternal life. We confess that He is the ruler of the universe and ask Him to be the ruler of our life as well.
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Have you done this?
If your answer is, “No.” or “I’m not sure.” Then I invite you to talk to God right now. It is a simple kind of prayer that millions of others have made. It is similar to a wedding vow. You come to God sincerely and commit yourself to a relationship with Him. Since He is God you receive Him on His terms. You can do this by praying the following prayer from the depths of your own heart.
Dear Father, I come before you acknowledging that I have done wrong. I have broken Your moral laws and have rebelled before You. But today, I know that Jesus died on the cross for my wrong doing. I not only confess I have done wrong, but I repent. I want to stop it and begin to live for You with my whole heart. I accept the that fact that the death of Jesus on the cross was for me. He took my penalty and as I now receive His substitution for me as a free gift. So now I ask You Jesus to forgive me of all my wrongdoing. I ask you to be the Lord of my life.
Thank You Jesus for dying for me, thank You for forgiving me, thank you for being the Lord of my life.
AMEN.
If you sincerely prayed that then you have a forever relationship with God. In fact the Bible makes it clear that God’s own Holy Spirit comes at this moment of commitment an takes residence in our life! How exciting, God is in your life, has forgiven you and made you His child. Respond to Him now in prayer by saying;
Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Please make me a new person, the kind of person You want me to be."
If you prayed this prayer, stop and thank God for making you a new person in Christ! The Bible says that you have just been “Born Again!” into His Spiritual family. Now you are His Child. It is a do-over card! Today is the beginning of a whole new life in Him.
​​​​​​Here are other Spiritual helps
Meditate on Scripture
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)
His word comforts us, instructs us, guides us. The Holy Spirit uses the word of God to speak to our heart.
Listening to worship music
Praise music sets a tone. It forces a healthy optimism, inspires faith and hope. It causes our heart to worship.
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Prayer
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Prayer is our connection with God. It is a relationship. He is our loving Father and cares deeply for us. Turn to Him in prayer. Ask, share and listen!
Let the Holy Spirit help you return to the fruit of the Spirit
Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to return from painful emotions to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.
Daily prayers for overcoming cravings
Prayers are important and a great source of strength and encouragement. In the Bible, the Apostle Paul writes, “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Prayer is conversation with God. We can pour our heart out to Him knowing that He hears us and wants to communicate back to us.
Morning Prayer
Father I rise to live this day for Your glory. Help me focus on the things I need to do. Help me to be the person that you want me to be. I give you my worries, distractions and impulsiveness that would easily take me away from my goal to be more like you. I ask for the Holy Spirit to guide me. Protect me from the temptations of the evil one. Speak to me, combat any lies that would come to discourage me. Holy Father, thank You that I am Your child, that I am loved and cherished by You. I am forgiven, cleansed and totally accepted by You. Guide me Lord this day. I put on the Holy armor of faith, truth, salvation, righteousness, peace of God and go with your word in my heart. In Jesus Name
Amen
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Prayer Against The Lies
Father I come against all the lies that bounce around in my head. Lies that would tell me I am unlovable, broken, damaged goods, useless, insignificant, no good, unforgivable and a myriad of other negative things. I realize that they are from the pit of Hell and I renounce them all. I choose rather to believe and pronounce that I am your child, precious in Your sight, unconditionally loved and significant with a Holy purpose to love others and live for you. I rebuke the negativity that tries to bring me down and accept the fact that You have a plan for my life, that you are happy to be with me, that I don’t have to strive to be loved and accepted by You for I already am. Help me Lord, switch my motivation. I resist being a slave of fear and stand up before you as child of your love. I accept your patience with me, your understanding of who I am and the design you have for my life. I hereby predict good things for my life and banish the negative bias that would have me believe otherwise. Thank You Lord for Your favor and love for me.
In Jesus name
Amen
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Prayer for wisdom
Dear Father, as I come to You I ask for wisdom in dealing with this habit. I need your direction. I need to know what to do and how to do it. This Habit Challenge is before me and I ask that you will help me accomplish it to Your glory.
Amen
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Prayer for strength
Dear Lord, I need strength to work on these habits. My mind is made up. I desire to make it through to the end. But you know how hard it is. Lord Jesus help me with the willpower and the strength to do what I need to do.
Amen
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Prayer for understanding
Father I need understanding. Habits are baffling, and I confess I get weary. You promised in Your word that if I ask for wisdom that you would give it to me. I am asking Lord. Help me understand which way to go. Give me wisdom in working with my habits.
Amen
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Prayer for patience
Dear God, I am so impatient. I want things to happen now. Instant maturity. Yet that is not how it works. I pray for patience. Patience to wait on you. Patience to do what I need to do to succeed. Keep me from shortcuts that will sabotage my success. Help me with this habit process I pray.
Amen
Prayer for persistence
Dear lord, I come to You in great need of persistence. It is so easy to waffle. I am easily distracted, tempted and unmotivated. I know what is right, but sometimes it is so hard to do it. Help me Lord see the end and all the promise that awaits me. Help me see the value in sticking to this plan. Give me the courage to preserve and the persistence to see it through. In Jesus’ name
Amen
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Prayer for slipping
Dear Lord, I commit myself to You and ask that you would help me resist. I can’t overcome my habits, cravings and addictions without You. I’ve tried and come up short. I want to do what is right and I ask in Jesus name and the power of the Holy Spirit that You will help me overcome. Help me hear that still small voice that warns me and then give me the gumption to say, “No!” Help me to love you more than I do the desire of my cravings. Help me overcome these cravings I pray. In Jesus name
Amen
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Prayer for relapse
Dear Father, I did not want to have to pray this prayer. I did not set out to relapse. I tried, I wanted to succeed but things went bad. I feel so guilty, so much shame. I told myself that this was the last time. I come to You Lord desperate for some kind of answer. I need hope, I need faith, I need the strength to get back up and start over again. So I will. I will take You at your word that there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, that I am loved unconditionally and that You have not given up on me. I will look at what happened, learn from it and by Your grace, try again. I know that all things are possible through Christ who empowers me. Empower me I pray. Amen
Prayer of surrender
I come to You Lord and surrender my life to You. I have tried it on my own and know that I need You in order to life the abundant life You have promised. I give You my goals, my desires, my past, present and future. I want to live for You. Help me know and do Your will I pray.
Amen
Believing What God Believes About Me
In Christ…
I am a new person with a new life
Before God made the world, He loved me and chose me in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt me into his own family by bringing me to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. So I praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out onto me. He is so rich in kindness and grace in that He purchased my freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave me all my sins. He has showered His kindness on me, along with all wisdom and understanding. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, so when I became a believer in Him, I will no longer have to fear eternal death, but now have eternal life. When I came to Christ and received Him as my Savior and Lord I became a new person. The old life was gone; a new life began! I have been transformed into a new creation. He washed away my sins, giving me a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. So I am letting God transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. My inward being is being renewed day by day. In fact, I am throwing off my old sinful nature and my former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, I am letting the Spirit renew my thoughts and attitudes. So I will put on my new nature, and be renewed as I learn to know my Creator and become like Him. God has given me everything I need for living a Godly life
Ephesians 1: 4-8; John 3:16-17; Romans 7: Romans 5:11; II Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Titus 3:5; Romans 12:2; II Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 4:22-23; Colossians 3:10; II Peter 1:3
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I live in grace without condemnation
Since I have been made right in God’s sight by faith, I have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord has done for me. Because of my faith, Christ has brought me into this place of grace, that is undeserved privilege, where I now stand. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn me, but to save me through him, so by believing in Him, I will never be condemned. When I was utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died on the cross for me. God showed his great love for me by sending Christ to die for me while I was still sinning. But since I have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save me from God’s condemnation.
I do not let sin control the way I live; with Christ’s help I do not have to give in to sinful desires. I don’t have to let any part of my body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, I will continually give myself completely to God, for I was dead, but now I have new life. So I will use my whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer my master, for I live in the freedom of God’s grace.
So now there is no condemnation for me because I belong to Christ Jesus. And because I belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed me from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 5:1-2, 6-10; Romans 6:12-14, Romans 8:1,2
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I am a friend of God
For my friendship with God was birthed by the death of his Jesus, while I was His enemy, and yet now I am saved through the life of Jesus. So now I rejoice in my wonderful new relationship with God because my Lord Jesus Christ has made me a friend of God.
Romans 5:11
14:16-17, Romans 8:11, 26-28
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Christ Helps Me Live My Life
I rejoice when I run into problems and trials, for I know that they help me develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character. So I make every effort to add to my faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For when I possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep me from being ineffective and unproductive in my knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I do not have to let my heart become troubled because I believe in God. And God has not given me a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Jesus gives me peace, not the kind the world gives. So I do not have to let my heart be troubled or afraid. So I consider it pure joy whenever I face trials because I know that the testing of my faith produces perseverance making me mature and complete, not lacking anything. I know that if I lack wisdom, I need to quit doubting and simply ask God, who will give it to me. I am more than a conqueror through him who loved us. If I am afraid I call on you for you are there, your rod and staff protect and comfort me like a good shepherd does for his sheep. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord.
Romans 5:3-4, II Peter 1:5-8, John 14:1, 27, II Timothy 1:7, James 1:2-6, Psalms 23: 4, Romans 8:37-39
1:13-14
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God Will Help Me As I Live For Him
For I am God’s masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things he planned for me long ago. So I keep on asking God to enable me to live a life worthy of His call. May He give me the power to accomplish all the good things my faith prompts me to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way I live. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. I rejoice even though I have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials, it has resulted in purifying my faith—which is of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire. Faith, so though I have never seen Christ, I love Him; and am filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? I can cast all my anxiety on God because He cares for me. I will always be full of joy in the Lord. I won’t worry about anything; instead, I will pray about everything. I will tell God what I need, and thank Him for all He has done and then I will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything I can understand. His peace will guard my hearts and minds as I live in Christ Jesus. I will fix my thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise. As I do this our God of peace will be with me. I am learning to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. God will meet all my needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. God will keep me in perfect peace as I trust in Him, and fix my thoughts on Him! So I won’t be afraid, for God is with me. He will hold me up with His victorious right hand. I won’t be discouraged, for He is my God. He will strengthen me and help me. This I know, Christ is with me, even to the end of time.
Ephesians 2:10 ; II Thessalonians 1:11- 12; I Peter 1:6-9, Psalms 27:1, I Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-19, Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 28:20
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Questions about God? Find Answers
God’s Existence https://www.everyperson.com/menus/existence.html
Is there a God? https://www.everyperson.com/features/is-there-a-god.html
Is God real? https://www.everyperson.com/wires/is-god-real.html
Connecting with the divine https://www.everyperson.com/wires/is-god-real.html
How does a rational person believe in God?
https://www.everyperson.com/wires/how-to-believe-in-god.html
https://www.everyperson.com/wires/how-to-believe-in-god.html
Why does God allow suffering in the world?
https://www.everyperson.com/journeys/why.html
Where is God in the midst of tragedy?
https://www.everyperson.com/features/where-is-god.html
https://www.everyperson.com/journeys/now.html
How to gain strength over addiction https://www.everyperson.com/wires/addiction.html
Biblical Affirmations for topics related to Habits
Personalized Bible Paraphrase
I have taken scriptures that are relevant and rewrote them in the first person. The goal is to get you to claim for yourself the richness of the verse and the promises made to you as a believer.
Self Control
The Lord gives me strength and makes me want to sing His praise; he gives me victory. I hear songs of joy and victory sung by the godly. God’s strong arm has done magnificent things!
Psalm 118:14-15
When I confess my sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive me of all my sins and cleanse me from all my wrongdoing.
I John 1:9
I will come to Jesus when I am weary and my burdens are heavy because I know he will give me rest.
Matthew 11:28
I must keep a close watch and ask God for help, so that I will not give in to temptation. My spirit is willing, but alone I am weak!
Matthew 26:41
The temptations in my life are no different from what others experience. God’s faithfulness won’t allow me to be tempted more than I can stand. He shows me a way out so I can be victorious.
I Corinthians 10:13
I belong to Christ and am a new person. My old life is gone; and now I am living a new life.
II Corinthians 5:17
God does not give me a spirit of fear but instead He gives me power, love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7
Jesus knows my weaknesses because He was tempted like me but He did not sin. Therefore, I can receive His mercy and grace when I need it.
Hebrews 4:15
God has equipped me with all I need for doing his will. He will produce, through the power of Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him.
Hebrews 13:21-22
When I am anxious
I love You Lord for you are my strength, rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge and shield. You are the power that delivers me from my troubles. In your presence I find safety.
Psalm 18:1-2
I know that my help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
Psalm 121:2 (PBP)
When I am overwhelmed I cry out to the Lord and plead for His mercy. I tell Him my troubles and share my complaints with Him. He alone knows the way I should go.
Psalm 142:1-3
I will not fear for God is with me. He is my God. He will strengthen, help and hold me with His victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
When I go through deep waters, God is with me. Through rivers of difficulty, I will not drown. Through fire of oppression I will not be burned up.
Isaiah 43:2
I am not anxious about my life, what I will eat or wear, for God takes care of the smallest birds, surely He will take care of me.
Luke 12:22-23
I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate me from the love of God. Not death or life, angels or demons, fears about today or all my worries about tomorrow – not even Hell itself can separate me from God’s love. Nothing above the sky or in the earth below- NOTHING in all of creation will ever, ever be able to separate me from the love of God that was given to me through Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:37-39
Discouragement
I will not be afraid or discouraged because the Lord Himself goes before me. He is with me and will never leave me or forsake me!
Deuteronomy 3:18
I will be strong and courageous! I won’t be afraid of full of terror. I won’t panic because You Lord my God will personally go ahead of me! You will not fail! You will never abandon me!
Deuteronomy 31:6
In all things pertaining to me, God is at work for the good.
Romans 8:28
When I am distressed I can cry out to You Lord. Yes, I can call upon You for Help. You are my God and will hear me. My cry will reach Your ears!
II Samuel 22:7
I am full of courage, secure and confident because there is hope in You my God. I find safety all around me and rest in You.
Job 11:18
Guidance
The Lord is my teacher. Even in adversity I will see him. When I don’t know whether to go right or left I will hear Him say, “This is the way you should go.”
Isaiah 30:20-21
For God is my God forever. He will be my guide to the end!
Psalm 48:14
With my mind, I can make plans but it is God who directs my steps.
Proverbs 16:9
The LORD directs my steps. How He delights in every detail of my life.
Psalm 37:23
When I trust in the Lord with all my heart and quit depending on my own understanding, when I seek His will in all I do, He will show me what path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Hope/Patience
Lord, I am trusting you! You are my God and I know my future is in your hands.
Psalm 31:14-15
I take great delight in the Lord, and He gives me the desires of my heart.
Psalm 37:4
I praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is my merciful Father and the source of all my comfort.
II Corinthians 1:3
The Lord knows exactly what I long for, He hears every sigh I make.
Psalm 38:9
When I need help, God hears my prayer and answers me.
Psalm 86:1
Even during awful times, even as I grieve over my losses, I will still dare to hope.
Lamentations 3:20
I bring my questions and concerns to the Lord and wait to see what He says and how He will answer me.
Habakkuk 2:1
I know that anything is possible if a person believes, so I cry out, “I do believe, help me with my unbelief!”
Mark 9:22-24
The temptations in my life are no different from what others experience. God’s faithfulness won’t allow me to be tempted more than I can stand. He shows me a way out so I can be victorious.
I Corinthians 10:13
I am empowered with inner strength through the Holy Spirit and God’s glorious, unlimited resources.
Ephesians 3:16
Please refer to the Habit Challenge Book or Power -Up Book for many more scripture verses.
