Today I offer prayer for poverty of our spirits. That may sound odd, but God encourages people to have a contrite, humble, sometimes even a completely broken, spirit. When we are “poor of spirit”, we are far more reliant on God, and less reliant on ourselves / the world. This is a good type of poverty to have.
Father God, our Merciful and Gracious Lord, You bless us so greatly with healing and guidance. Father, You say that You look upon those who are humble and contrite in spirit, those who tremble at Your word – may we become such people. May we offer up our broken spirits and humble hearts as acceptable sacrifices to You. May we continually rely on Your spirit to revive our hearts, break our pride, and keep our spirits lowly, so we may dwell with You in Your holy place. For when we are poor and needy, You lift us up, for You are our help and deliverer. If we think ourselves prosperous, lacking nothing in this world, then we are blind to our own poverty and nakedness. Please oppose us if we become proud, and humble our hearts, while bestowing Your grace upon us. We are woeful for we are lost, a people of unclean lips, dwelling amidst others of unclean lips. We are sinful people, O Lord, not worthy of Your presence or looking upon Your face – please have mercy on us! We are needy and we call upon You for deliverance, for nobody but You can help us – please have pity on us O Lord. Father, may we learn to embrace this weakness and poverty, for when we suffer in this way, You can be glorified in our weakness, exhibiting Your unmatched strength through and in us – for when we are weakest, Your strength is the most evident. May we humble ourselves like children, and not think of ourselves more highly than we should, understanding that we are sinners in need of Your cleansing and redemption. We are blessed when we are poor and broken of spirit, for we shall inherit Your kingdom, as You have promised. All glory, honor and praise be unto You our Lord, both now and forever, amen.
[Inspired by: Isa 66:2, Psa 51:17, Isa 57:15, Psa 40:17, Rev 3:17, Jas 4:6, Isa 6:5, Lk 5:8, Lk 18:3, Psa 72:12-13, 2 Cor 12:10, Mt 18:4, Rm 12:3, Mt 5:3, Mt 18:4]
~ Conqueror in Training