How is your pride doing today? Are you proud of your accomplishments? Do you take pride in the work you do? Has your pride caused you to look down on others? Are you so prideful that you think you don’t need God?
As we look around us and take notice of others, we see many, many people who look down at those around them. We hear it in how they talk. We see it in their actions and in their eyes. Do we see it when we look in the mirror?
Our culture drives us to think highly of ourselves, to think ourselves better than others. Being human, we like to think we are better than others. Unfortunately, having this type of attitude is not good for our culture nor our relationship with God.
When we have an attitude of haughtiness, we discriminate. Oh, you can argue until you are blue in the face, but deep down you know it’s true. That discrimination will come through in many facets of your life, including your prayer life.
You see, when we come before God with an attitude of being better than others, God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we would like (Luke 18:9-14). Why? Your mind is not in sync with God. Your prayer will not be in accordance with His will.
When we pray with an attitude of submissiveness, when we are willing to accept God’s plan, our prayers are in perfect harmony with God. Having an attitude of submissiveness requires work on our part. It requires us to continually battle the attitude of pride.
We see in today’s passage that Jesus was submissive to the Father’s will. We see the Father heard Jesus’ prayers because of His submissiveness. We also know the rest of the story, that Jesus still had to suffer to fulfill God’s plan. Do we think we are better than Christ?
Folks, I’m not saying we will be crucified, I simply inquire about our attitude. I also point out that our attitude has an impact on our prayers. If we want to see our prayers answered, we must submit to God and leave our prideful attitude behind.
I pray we all become countercultural. I pray we eliminate our attitude of pride. I pray each of us will submit to God, conforming to His will for our lives. Release your pride. Take on a submissive attitude toward God. Be in harmony with God. Be effective in your prayer life.
Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Marty Pressey 