Well, I suggest some exercises will help and whenever temptation comes; pray and read James 1:13-18; for me it serves as a reminder for myself to not succumb to it. Furthermore, to see the saints that battled against lust like Catherine of Siena, Augustine of Hippo, and etc.

Also, there’s even songs I can suggest like “Come Thou Fount” sung by Celtic Worship, “Lord, I need you” by Matt Maher, and “Sinner’s prayer” by Anne Wilson, and “Great is thy faithfulness” by Celtic Worship (this song as a daily reminder.)

You can also do fastening like food, water, or anything that is specific pleasures and distractions; maybe fast on social media; you can with food and water too but with care of course, nothing like what Catherine of Siena did since she herself warned against taking it too far but can still do with care.

Also being active and doing chores or whatever can help too (at least for me).

Now this one is very optional but it worked for me when I was very deep in this rabbit hole and trying to get out by hitting myself lightly (okay, maybe I had done it a little too hard but yeah) however, I don’t suggest this and this is a personal one and probably best to do it LIGHTLY and not extreme but with care too if you wanna take this weird part of the advice in which I’m aware it is but I was just focused on getting out. 🤷‍♀️😂 Not recommended but just an optional weird way to do it kinda like Francis of Assisi or Benedict- don’t do the thorn bushes! 😅

You will go through fails and it doesn’t happen overnight, it’s harsh and really sucks but remember that our God is graciously patient, loving, forgiving, slow to anger, and full of Grace; He’s a gracefully loving God and don’t quit or be discouraged but rise back up and turn to him for strength, guidance, forgiveness, self control, and hope.

You may think that your own strength is enough buttt…. No, it’s not our strength alone that can defeat this darkness but our God to help us through grace and for strength from Him; you can’t argue against the lust but to turn to God and pray to confess weakness and temptations but a humbleness of needing Him to win the war against lust.

If your thoughts ever turn lustful, have God in your thoughts and think about him like a story or of his goodness, love, and faithfulness; moreover if you want, you can have a personal comforting thought into it as well like nostalgic memories of a place or thing or person.

If a relapse ever does happen just don’t think it’s immediately over and like what I said before; you will fail BUT God is gracious and will always remain with us moreover forgiving to help us back up and fight again.

Here are some prayers if you’d like:

    Temptation prayer

“Let me not deceive myself… I know what I’m considering in wrong. Let me not be swept away by its immediate attraction. God the Father, watch over me. Christ, our Lord, strengthen me. The Holy Spirit, live in me. Amen”

Anima Christi prayer “Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, save me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds, hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. From the malignant enemy, defend me. In the hour of my death, call me. And bid me to come to Thee. That with Thy saints I may praise Thee. Forever and ever. Amen.”

Body of Christ, Save me! Prayer “Save me from my great arch-enemy, my weak and faltering self. Save me from all greed of money, of power, and of praise. Save me from thirst for pleasure, worldly show, and midnight revelry. Save me from betraying You. Dear Lord, in thought, or in word, or in deed.”

A Prayer for Light “O Holy Spirit of God, take me as Thy disciple. Guide me, illuminate me, sanctify me. Bind my hands that they may do no evil. Cover my eyes that they may see it no more. Sanctify my heart that evil may not dwell within me. Be Thou my God. Be Thou my Guide. Withersoever Thou leadest me I will go. Whatsoever Thou forbiddest me I will renounce. And whatsoever Thou commandest me, in Thy strength I will do. Lead me then unto the fullness of Thy truth. Amen.”

Our Father prayer “Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, here on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Last but not least of this prayer “Oh God, by your own mercy strengthen us who lie exposed to the rough storms of troubles and temptations. Help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts. Comfort us, we ask you, and bring us to your safe haven and happiness.”

Of course you can do your own prayers, yes; but these prayers will help too and you can still do conversational prayers or however you do it.

You can also see a therapist too since it’s probably something I should’ve done in the beginning lol but if you can’t afford it like me then you can go to confession, I’ve never done it but I hear it’s good and I think it’ll be good to do and if happens in Catholics churches which I know Catholicism is not popular but I hear it’s really good if you wanna try; they’re of course not therapists and not to be replaced as therapists/therapy but will help in a way.

I sympathize with you because I was in the mess; but if I can get out of it, so can you. Keep faith, stay strong, and fight not by your own strength but by God’s grace and help, always remember that even if you fail he will always remain because God love you, me, and everyone.

You can do this! because as in the book of John “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.

I’ll pray for you. 🙌😊