Let us humble ourselves before our God. Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we come to you this morning to pray that a spirit of humility indwells us. Humility is not a natural human tendency.
We know humility is forgoing one’s status, and using our resources and influence for the good of others before ourselves. Simply put, it is the willingness to hold power in the service of others. It is the noble choice. Humility enhances the ordinary and makes the great even greater.
But Lord, we also know from Your Word that humility is not head-knowledge. Humility is an attitude – an outward manifestation of what is in our hearts. We understand that You desire that we humbly obey Your commandments. You tell us plainly that “You oppose the proud, but give grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)King Solomon reminds us “showing respect to the Lord will make you wise, and being humble will bring honor to you.” (Proverbs 15:33)
Father God, it wasn’t until You sent Your only son to live on this earth that we really began to grasp that humility is a central characteristic of the ethical life. Jesus taught that “God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” (Matthew 5:5). “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted”. (Luke 14:11) Put another way, “if you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, you will become more than yourself.”
Father, we thank you and praise you that Jesus didn’t just teach about humility. He lived out a life of humility and service to others. He didn’t come to be served but to serve. It was Jesus who washed the feet of the disciples. It was Jesus who healed the sick and the blind. Most importantly, it was Jesus who humbled himself to Your will even unto death on the cross so that we might be saved.
We are saddened by the iniquities and absence of humility in our world. Too many of Your people have forgotten the teachings of Jesus, forgotten Your commandments, and forgotten the sanctifying reason of Christ’s death on the cross. Lord we pray that You will stir the hearts of Your people, as we were once told: “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)
We pray today for humble hearts. We pray that as followers of Christ we become humble servants of one another. Please help us today to recognize opportunities to follow Jesus’ example and live out humility in our own lives.
Father, we ask for Your continued grace as we adopt a spirit of humility in our hearts. We pray that we live out that humility to serve those around us. Lastly Father, we pray for restoration and healing for our land.
Amen