Prayer for De-Clutered Lives

From Scotty Ward Smith- A Prayer For De-Cluttered Lives

Dear Lord Jesus, a little work in my attic and garage, closet and drawers this week made these words of yours start blinking at me like a bright neon sign on a dark night—unavoidable. Where did all of this stuff come from? Clutter is like zucchini; it just seems to keep spreading and multiplying. How did I accumulate all these things? Once a “treasure,” now most of these things are just a bother.

But, Jesus, what concerns me far more than my attic and garage, are my mind and heart. The older I get, the less storage space there is; and I don’t want to finish my journey into eternity with a distracted mind and a cluttered heart. So Lord, help me de-clutter and re-center on you. I want to live more like Mary in a Martha world (Luke 10:38-42). In a world of multiple distractions, I want to finish my days with one great consuming affection, Lord Jesus—making and keeping you my treasure.

I love you because you first loved me; and I’ll treasure you, to the extent I really believe you treasure us (and me), as your beloved Bride and eternal inheritance. So by the Holy Spirit, once again, rearrange the price tags in my heart, Jesus. Once again, let my uncluttered spirit and re-centered heart say, “I consider all things rubbish compared to the surpassing excellency of knowing Jesus” (Phil. 3:7-10).

Once again, let my relationships and schedule, attic and garage demonstrate my delight in you, and desire for you. Jesus, I am so glad that you love me the same, with or without my clutter; but I know I will love you much better with much less clutter. So very Amen I pray, in your triumphant and tender name.