A Nightly Prayer for Humility and Unity - October 13

A Prayer for Humility and Unity

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. - Philippians 2:3-4

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Humility is one of the words that is easy to misunderstand. Some see humility as “less” than others, as someone not as competent or valuable, someone not worth someone’s time, respect, care, or love. Humility means we need to sacrifice our own thoughts, wishes, talents, and well-being. Thinking about what “I need” is tantamount to pride. Well, so goes the lie.

Sadly, Philippians 2 is sometimes used to justify this misunderstanding. After all, doesn’t Paul write that we shouldn’t think about ourselves too highly, that we should see others as “better than ourselves”? Doesn’t this tell us that caring for ourselves, or standing up for ourselves, is an instance of arrogance or pride?

Humility doesn’t mean self-abasement. Humility is not abdication of our identity, calling, or wishes. We are never called to forsake who we are in Christ Jesus. In fact, it is only when we are secure in the truth that we are people made in God’s image and redeemed in Christ’s love that we can even be humble. It is only when we understand that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit on high that we can then use those God-given talents and abilities in service.

See, Humility is not about seeing ourselves, or our interests, as having little value or worth; it is about daring to believe that we are not more valuable or worthy than others. When Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but rather in humility value others above yourself”, he is talking about living in a way that only focuses on ourselves. To live selfishly is to turn our attention only upon our own wants or wishes, and so we fundamentally turn a blind eye to the presence of Christ in the other.

Selfishness and vanity are based on competition; it says that because I matter, you don’t. Because God is with me, God is not with you. It says that God uses me, and not you. But when we humble ourselves, when we live in humility, we approach others with an open heart, knowing that God uses others to speak into our lives; We look at others as equally loved by God and made in God’s image. When we look to the interests of others, and dare to take our eye off of ourselves, and onto what God might be doing in another’s life, this doesn’t diminish our place in God’s kingdom; rather, it is as a fuller expression of who we are as loved by the Father, empowered by the Spirit, and sent by Christ Jesus our Lord.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Gracious Lord

It can be so easy to follow the voice of the world, which tells me I need to compete and compare myself with the people around me. Instead of seeing others through God’s eyes, the world tells me that the people around me are those I judge myself by. And so I see myself as accepted or rejected based on the value that the world places on talents, accomplishments, and possessions.

But your word tells us to act in humility – to dare to believe that your love is given to all people equally. Your word tells me that your grace is extended to me and to others, based on no other criteria than your own choosing.

Empower me to have the humility that fully values and appreciates who you have made me to be and calls me to celebrate your love and grace in other people’s lives. May humility and grace bind me to those you send me to, so that together, we might live for your glory alone.

This I pray in Christ Jesus

Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

Philippians 2 begins with a discussion of Christ’s love and compassion. In what way can you express Christ’s compassion toward another person?
Selfishness is not thinking of yourself as important; it is thinking about yourself as most important. In what practical ways can you encourage or lift someone up this week?
In what ways can you humble yourself before God, making God’s will and call a priority in your life?

Go Deeper: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence through Humility

The peace we long for begins with coming to the end of ourselves. Some aspects of life are inescapable. We have less control than we want, more anxiety than we're comfortable with and just enough insecurity to continually remind us of our shortcomings. To experience these things is to be human. We aren't superheroes and invincibility isn't an option. But humility is.

Whether we've incorrectly defined it or underestimated its relevance to our daily life, humility is the missing piece for the security, strength, and confidence we all want. It's time to stop trying so hard to avoid our limitations or overcompensate for them. God has better for us, and it begins with bowing low in humility. Join us to discover weakness is not your enemy. Planted in the soil of humility, weakness becomes a means of gaining more strength and more peace. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others. He also maintains his own blog revkylenorman.ca. He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.