Morning Prayer - Against Pride and Arrogance

Lord,

As I open my eyes to a new day, I pray that You would also open my heart to the awareness of how deeply I need You.

Please, guard me from false certainty, from the destructive self-sufficiency that deceives me into believing I am too strong to fall. Your Word warns me so clearly.

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

Help me to understand, Lord, that I do not stand by my own strength, my own wisdom, or my own apparent goodness. No, I stand only by Your grace, by the faith that is Your gift and not of my own earning.

“That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.” (Romans 11:20)

Lord, I do not want to be proud; I want to fear falling into sin and being distant from You. Teach me to be vigilant, to take refuge in You even before temptation arises, and not only when it is already dragging me down.

Remind me of Your words spoken to the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, when they slept instead of keeping watch with You: “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:40)

I know that temptations are a part of my human existence and that I cannot escape them. But I thank You, for You do not leave me alone in them, and You promise me Your faithfulness, which is greater than all my weakness.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

This promise gives me hope that there is always a way forward. Help me to seek this path in prayer, especially when I feel weak and am in search of prayer support. Your help is my only escape.

Lord, help me not to use this vigilance to condemn others. When I see a brother or sister who has fallen, let me not be filled with arrogance, but with compassion and an awareness of my own frailty.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

Give me a spirit of gentleness, that I may know how to help, and at the same time, the wisdom to watch over myself. May my soul not grow weary from the battle, but always find strength in Your presence and Your Word. Today, I do not wish to stand in my own power, but to lean upon Yours.

Amen.

STAY IN TOUCH