seeking humility in the battle with anger and pride

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To begin, find a space where you can be still and focus.

Then, follow the prompts below. When you reflect on scripture, feel free to look up a passage of your own or use the verses provided for you. Personalize as you will.

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Thanksgiving: Offer thanks to God. What has He provided for you today? Thank Him for His perfect nature and His amazing grace.

Praise: Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of praise. You are gentle, slow to anger, abounding in mercy, and full of grace. Though perfect light, you entered and transformed the darkness to redeem it. By your power and love, my sins are forgiven. Your forgiveness abounds. Your love never fails. I love you, Lord.

Reflect on Scripture: Proverbs 29:22-23 (ESV); Ephesians 4:2-3; 22-32 (NIV): Colossians 3:12-15 (NIV)

²² A man of wrath stirs up strife,
    and one given to anger causes much transgression.
²³ One’s pride will bring him low,
    but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

²Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

The Lord’s Prayer: Walk through the prompts below, offering God your responses.

Help me submit to you, Father. I pray your will be done in my life and on earth as it is in heaven.

Help me become like new, remade in your image—full of humility, kindness, gentleness, and peace. Cover me with the righteousness of Christ. Keep me from thinking more highly of myself than I should. Reveal to me my pride. Rescue me from it.

When I speak, may my words benefit others and build them up. I pray my actions not grieve your Spirit or hurt others. Give me courage to admit when I’m wrong and ask forgiveness.

Lord, help me notice and uproot bitterness before it turns to rage or anger. By the power of your Spirit within me, may I not become annoyed or angry at circumstances or people because they don’t please or satisfy me. Please forgive my pride and selfishness. Help me submit my wrong thinking and my emotional responses to your perfect will.

Help me be slow to speak and quick to listen. I admit I don’t know everything, and I need to learn more—especially about you. Help me be fully secure in my identity in You and trust you to be in control of my life and this world.

Father, I confess my struggle with anger and/or pride. I need humility in these areas of my life: _____________________________.

Help me be gentle. Help me be kind. Grow in me true humility that dismantles my pride.  

Today, I have need. Please provide: _____________________________. Thank you for being a good Father who cares for his children and provides all they need.

I confess I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sin of: _____________________________.

Please help me forgive those who have sinned against me. Lord, because you have forgiven me, help me forgive: _____________________________ for _____________________________. Thank you for forgiving my sins and empowering me to forgive others as you forgive me.

Thank you for delivering me from evil. Today, I ask you to deliver me from _____________________________ for you are _____________________________.

May you be glorified in my life today and forevermore.

Thank you for being a God who is big enough to hold all of my insecurity, fear, and failure. Thank you for forgiving me time and again, for allowing me to grow—even if it’s hard—to be more like you. I am so thankful to be your child, and I trust you to be the one who is in control of my life. I lay down my anger and my pride in exchange for your forgiveness, grace, and a humble heart. I surrender to you, Lord, and humbly ask to partake of your peace in love.

Neighbor Prayer: Spend a moment praying on behalf of any neighbors God lays on your heart.

Suggested Neighbor Prayer for: those who sow discord or with whom I disagree

Father, I don’t see things the same way as everyone else. I pray for the people who disagree with me or who I find hard to love. Help me not think more highly of myself than I should. I pray for those who see things differently—that you would care for their hearts, love them well, and show me how to extend love and grace to them, too. Help me love who I feel is unlovable. Thank you that you find none of us unlovable.

Forgive me for judging others when I, too, am blind and sinful. Unify us by our common need of your forgiveness, love, and grace. Help me see my enemies with your eyes, and love them with your love. May your love bring peace.  

To those who require forgiveness, Lord, soften their hearts to repent and receive grace and love well. Shower them with your mercy, and undo them by your kindness. Me included, Lord. Thank you. I love you.

Say special prayers for the difficult people in your life who are not saved that Jesus would reveal Himself to them and save them.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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If you would like to continue to worship in song, here is a version of All to Jesus I Surrender. For me, this song is a prayer.