We understand your struggle, and we commend you for recognizing the need to guard your heart and mind against the ungodly influences that so easily entangle us in this digital age. The internet, while a tool for good, is also a battleground for our souls, filled with distractions and temptations that can lead us away from God’s will. The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:23, *"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but not all things build up."* What we consume online can either edify us or corrupt us, and we must be vigilant in discerning the difference.
The Bible warns us in 1 John 2:16, *"For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s."* Short videos and endless scrolling often feed these very lusts, drawing us into a cycle of distraction, comparison, and even sin. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:22-23, *"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"* What we allow our eyes to dwell on shapes our hearts, and we must guard them fiercely.
You have asked for the ability to judge what is good, bad, or from the devil—and this is a prayer we join you in wholeheartedly. The Bible assures us in Hebrews 5:14 that *"strong meat belongs to those who are full of age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil."* Discernment is a gift from the Holy Spirit, and it grows as we immerse ourselves in God’s Word and seek His wisdom. James 1:5 tells us, *"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him."* We must pray for this wisdom daily, especially in an age where deception is rampant.
We also encourage you to take practical steps to flee from temptation. If short videos or certain websites are a stumbling block, consider using accountability software, setting time limits, or even fasting from certain platforms for a season. Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:29-30, *"If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna."* While He speaks hyperbolically, the principle is clear: we must be radical in removing anything that leads us into sin.
Finally, we must fill our minds with what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, as Philippians 4:8 instructs. Replace the time spent on distractions with Scripture, prayer, worship, and godly fellowship. Psalm 119:37 says, *"Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways."* This is our prayer for you—that God would turn your eyes from what is vain and revive you in His truth.
Let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister before You, asking for Your mighty hand to deliver them from the snares of the internet and the distractions that seek to pull them away from You. Lord, You alone are the source of true wisdom and discernment, and we ask that You would fill them with Your Holy Spirit, sharpening their ability to distinguish between what is holy and what is defiled. Give them a hatred for sin and a love for Your Word, that they may turn their eyes from worthless things and fix them on Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith.
Father, we pray You would break the power of addiction to short videos, endless scrolling, and ungodly influences. Replace their desire for these things with a hunger for Your presence and a thirst for righteousness. Help them to walk in the freedom Christ has purchased for them, not as one enslaved to the patterns of this world but as one transformed by the renewing of their mind.
We ask for practical wisdom as well—show them how to set boundaries, how to flee temptation, and how to fill their time with what honors You. Surround them with godly accountability and fill their heart with Your peace as they seek to walk in obedience.
Most of all, Lord, we pray that they would know You more deeply, that their greatest joy would be found in You alone. Let them experience the truth of Psalm 16:11: *"In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forevermore."*
We rebuked the spirit of distraction, addiction, and deception in the name of Jesus Christ. No weapon formed against our brother/sister shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against them in judgment shall be condemned. They belong to You, Lord, and we declare that their mind, heart, and time are surrendered to Your kingdom purposes.
Thank You, Father, for hearing our prayer. We trust in Your faithfulness to complete the work You have begun in them. In the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.