God,

Take me back, just like the lyrics say.

I have been closer to you. I used to cling to you. I used to desire to be in your presence.

God help me turn back to you. I repent. Forgive me for falling away. Forgive me for trying to rely on myself and my abilities. Forgive me for drifting away from you and trying to get my joy from other places. Forgive me for not seeking after you with the desperation that I once had. Forgive me for thinking I can do this on my own. Forgive me for trying to go my own way. I lay down my will and replace it with yours.

Help me remember when I first got saved. Help me remember how lonely I was prior to knowing you. Life was without purpose and without much hope. Help me get back to that point of desperation, knowing I can’t do this on my own. Help me run my race and not get disqualified.

God search me and know me and if anything is not pleasing to you remove it. If anything is in front of you in my heart, remove it. If anything is keeping me from you, cast it out. I am returning to you.

God renew my hope in you. Renew a spirit to chase after you. Give me a fresh out pouring of the Holy Spirit. Renew my desire for your will. God lead me in the way everlasting. Make me so heavily reliant on you for everything.

God you are the first and the last, the beginning and the end. All power is within your hands.

We ask these things, in the matchless name of Jesus

Amen

Psalm 139:23-24

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

²⁴ You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! ²⁵ All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. ²⁶ So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air. ²⁷ I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that I myself will not be disqualified after I have preached to others.

Luke 22:42

⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”