It’s hard to ask God to humble your church, but the blessing and favor that follows humility is immeasurable.
Quick Prayer
Please pray aloud: O God Most High, I come to you now asking you to give humility to the leaders of my church. I hesitate to pray this, because I know how humility comes—the humble are humbled. But I know you oppose the proud and you lift up the lowly. So come, with a strong and gentle hand and make the leaders of my church model the humility of Jesus—who humbled himself and was made man, who took on the nature of a slave, who died on a cross of shame before you exalted him to your right hand.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Full Prayer
Please pray aloud: O God Most High, I come to you now asking you to give humility to the leaders of my church.
I hesitate to pray this, because I know how humility comes—the humble are humbled. Humility follows humiliation. Forgive me for my reservations to ask for humility, God, but I’m afraid of how you might decide to humble us. But even if I am hesitant to ask for humility, I ask knowing you are a good Father who will not give a stone when I ask for bread.
Yet I ask because you have said in your Word that you oppose the proud. You said the people suffer when they are led by the haughty. You said you punish the arrogant. So come, with a strong and gentle hand and make the leaders of my church model the humility of Jesus—who humbled himself and was made man, who took on the nature of a slave, who died on a cross of shame before you exalted him to your right hand.
Lead us from false humility, as well. Simply give us an awareness of our weaknesses. Not a self-hatred or loathing, either, God. Just give us a recognition of our shortcomings in your sight.
And then, fulfill every one of your promises for those you humble with your mighty hand—we want to inherit the land, we want to enjoy your peace and prosperity, we want to be lifted up. Be near us in our lowliness. Do not despise our broken and contrite spirit.
Take away any pleasure in the praise of others, that we might hear your praise.
Take away any satisfaction in our beauty, that we might know your glory.
Take away any trust in our strength, that we might know your strength.
Take away any pride in our wisdom, that we might know your wisdom.
Take away any hope in our abilities, that we might know your favor.
Take away any joy in our riches, that we might know your riches.
Take away our desire to be great, that you may be made great.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Some of the Scripture used in today’s prayer: Matthew 7:9-11, James 4:6, Proverbs 29:2, Isaiah 13:11, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 2:18, 1 Peter 5:6, Psalm 37:11, James 4:10, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17, Jeremiah 9:23-24
