A Prayer About Meeting My Needs

When I should be more others centered

DEAR JESUS,

I’m a needy person. Like anyone else, I want people to like me and to say good things about me. But sometimes my needs get in the way, and I begin to concentrate almost exclusively on myself. You were never like that; instead, you humbled yourself and even washed the disciples’ feet. Then you told them to follow your example. You also taught that we shouldn’t push for the best seats in the house and that the first will be last. Yet I can lapse into a me-first attitude. Instead, I need to remember your words and actions and follow your example. I can see the problem in others, and even think, Whose needs are being met here? But I can be blind to my own behavior in this regard—until I look back and see how I acted. So please sensitize me to this tendency, Jesus, and help me do what is right and others centered. And make this a normal and sincere part of my life, not a rule to follow. I need to grow in this area.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4