A Prayer About Generosity

A prayer about Generosity

When I’d like to be more generous with what I have

Dear God,

What I spend my money on reveals what I care about most. Lord, what do my spending habits say about me? Probably that I tend to be focused on myself instead of others. How can I be a more generous and cheerful giver? I know that what’s significant is not what I have but what I do with what I have, for you look at the heart. O God, is my heart where you want it to be? Please reveal to me the true nature of my heart. Help me see myself as I really am so I can know what I need to change to have a generous heart more like yours. Please teach me the discipline of generosity, and may this discipline of giving transform my heart. Generosity is the opposite of selfishness, and selfishness is a cousin of pride, greed, stinginess, and hard-heartedness—all traits that destroy relationships. But generosity promotes giving, trust, mercy, and putting others’ needs above my own—all traits that build relationships. May you grow those characteristics in me. And as I more fully realize that everything I have is a gift from you, my generous God, may I be motivated to share my material resources more freely.

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7