Day 25 :: A Sunday Prayer

“Think of others before yourself.”

This is an often-repeated phrase in our household.  Maybe my kids roll their eyes when they hear it, but it’s something that we want to become a fiber of their being.  We want them to treat others as they would want to be treated, yes.  But before they can do that, they must truly value others.

Our Prayer of Confession this morning at church fit beautifully with what I wanted to share today.

As I read through the words of this prayer in church this morning, I was struck again with how self-centered I tend to be.

Our hearts need to be healed.  My heart needs to be healed.

“Lord, we continue to forget what it means to serve one another.  We look to our charity not as care for others but as a chance to feel better about ourselves.  We let concern about how we will be perceived by others drive our decisions rather than concern for those in need.  We let pride in our own ability cause us to look down on others. 

Heal us, O Lord, of an apathy that allows us to watch as others struggle.  Heal us from considering our own needs above those of others.  Show us anew the Love that you revealed to us through your Son while we deserved only death.  We thank you for your Grace and receive the freedom to love our neighbor as you have loved us.”

This is Day 25 of a series “Lessons for my Daughters”.  Click here for a complete list of posts.