Pray KNCSB

I was prompted to remember and reflect slowly on this poem by John Donne this week:

No man is an island,

Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

In light of the tolling of the bell for all, I thought it appropriate this week to reflect and pray in light of eternity and my character development. In light of eternity, my goodness as a person who follows Christ matters most. How shall I live to add to without diminishing others? The determination came once more that I ought to live as I pray, and pray as I ought to live. I have formulated these prayers to guide my reflections on certain character issues in the next little while. Perhaps you will find them helpful.

Integrity: Lord Jesus, help me to practice what I preach in every area of my life.

Kindness: Lord Jesus, help me to speak ill of no one and good of everyone.

Boasting: Lord Jesus, help me to sing others’ praises, never my own.

Humility: Lord Jesus, help me to be willing to readily admit my mistakes, slow to find them in others, and ask forgiveness of anyone I sin against.

Preferring Others: Lord Jesus, may it never be that I should lift myself up in order to put others down.

Respect: Lord Jesus, help me to manipulate no one, especially those I lead.

Contentment: Lord Jesus, help me to be thankful for all I have, and to be content with the state I’m in.

Generosity: Lord Jesus, grant that my hands shall always be open to those who suffer want.

Holiness: Lord Jesus, I ask that what holiness is in me, attract rather than repel.

Flexibility: Lord Jesus, allow that I would not force my goodness on others, or protect it with rigid laws that push others to conform to it.

You alone are supremely good, Lord Jesus, and all my goodness is from you. So let my life be what my prayers are. Amen.