A Prayer For Respect

A prayer for Respect

Where can I find respect?

Lord,

I want to be respected, but I think I’m going about it the wrong way. Among some of my friends, the person who is the most wealthy, most beautiful, most popular, or most self-serving gains the admiration of the group. It’s a competition. But the more I strive to gain others’ approval, the less self-respect I have. And the esteem I gain is a mirage—it only lasts until someone else outdoes me. I need a new approach, Lord. I’m starting to learn that earning respect doesn’t come from serving myself but from serving others, from taking responsibility instead of trying to save face. The people I genuinely look up to show consistent kindness and integrity and are motivated by a deep love for others. Their self-respect comes from knowing whom they serve, and others admire them for their consistently godly lives. Father, I don’t want to make other people feel that they are less important than I am. I want to be respected because people see more of you in me. Please answer my prayer for change. Only you can help me become the kind of person who truly deserves respect.

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30