September 5, 2023 - Matthew 23:11-12
“The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NIV
Lord, I love the way your kingdom’s culture is so upside down to the world’s culture. When we encounter it, it makes it obvious as something different. It draws us in. It makes us want to understand and know more.
Help us rewire our brains from the world’s way of thinking to make your kingdom ways our default way of thinking. Forgive us for the times that we have walked in pride and pushed our way to the top. Forgive us for the times when we orchestrate situations to get recognized or exalted.
Teach us how to live from a humble posture. Also, help us know the difference between humility and low self-esteem. We don’t want to be people who serve behind the scenes in an effort to hide or not be noticed. Yes, we do want to be humble and not need to be seen, but still be confident about who we are in you. We also don’t want to serve in order to be recognized. We do want to serve with a love and joy that allows people to see you in us and that draws people to you.
Teach us how to be humble and confident at the same time. Jesus, help us walk like you. You are the Son of God and carry all authority, yet you choose to walk humbly. Teach us who we are in you and how to walk in the authority you give us but help us choose to carry that authority humbly. Help us always wait for you to exalt us and bring attention to us. Open our eyes to any time our motives are leading us to strive or push our way towards acknowledgments and praise. Forgive us for any pride in our lives and help us remove it so that you don’t have to humble us. We commit to humbling ourselves and becoming servants.
In Jesus name, amen.
