A Prayer about Selflessness

Humble Lord,

As I listen to Richard Lui’s fascinating book about “selflessness”: 

“What if your path to a more successful, healthy, 

and satisfying life is actually not about you?” (Enough about Me),

I am reminded of just how very selfish I can be. 

If not for your gracious intervention, 

I would make every moment of every day “all about me.” 

Humble us, Lord. 

Help us empty ourselves of our self, 

not because it’s the way to have a more “successful, healthy, and satisfying life,” 

but because it’s your way.

You have called all of your followers to follow you 

in denying ourselves (Luke 9:23),

 to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, 

but in humility count others 

more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

We confess, it is only by your sacrificial blood 

and by your raising us to new life 

that we can live for you and not for ourselves.

In your self-emptying name. Amen.

Read Philippians 2:1-11; Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 5:15