Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10 NIV) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Prov. 11:2 NIV) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Eph. 4:2 NIV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matt. 5:9 NIV)
Dear heavenly Father, “being right” is so much more fun than being humbled; remaining defensive is so much easier than offering kindness; getting even is more instinctive than getting low. Alas, I find myself again in the need of fresh grace as this day begins. Thank you for convicting me without condemning me.
I know you resist the proud, but give grace to the humble—and the last thing in the world I want is to experience your resistance, so, Father, I humble myself before you today. Bring glory to yourself, as you bring me back to the ways of the gospel.
Forgive me for trying to justify my haughtiness, coolness, and withdrawal. Nobody’s failure to love well can excuse my own. Forgive me for investing more energy in propping up my reputation than in working towards peace and reconciliation. Forgive me for confusing the self-righteous monologue I’ve been carrying on in my head with prayer. I’ve been talking to myself, not to you.
Forgive me for relishing the thought of being right, when there’s been everything wrong with my attitude. Forgive me for “processing” the broken situation with others, when it’s really been closer to gossip. Forgive me for being passive in the face of a potential messy confrontation, rather than active as a peacemaker.
Have mercy on me, gracious Father, have mercy. As the day unfolds, please grant me humility, kindness, and courage to move towards the situation. Bring glory to yourself, gentleness to my heart, and a good gospel outcome. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ wonderful and merciful name.
