A Prayer about My Critical Spirit
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matt. 7:1–2 NIV)
Forbearing Jesus, I should’ve seen it coming. Just when I was starting to feel pretty self righteous about not being self-righteous, the serial killer inside of me woke up.
My irritability factor has gone from a 3 to what feels like an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. The telltale knots inside of me aren’t about nervousness, they’re about judgmentalism. It’s been easier catching people doing the wrong thing than affirming the many more things they do right. Once again, I’ve taken on the role of an Olympic judge with scorecards in hand, and I’m not giving out any 10’s.
God, have mercy on me, the sinner. I really mean that, Jesus. You have exhausted God’s judgment against all my sins upon the cross— the 4 percent I am aware of and the other 96 percent I am oblivious to as well. Who am I to judge your servants, your beloved? To you they answer, not to me. Jesus, you have called me to love others as you love me, not judge others with the judgment that has been entrusted to you alone.
Soften my heart today, Holy Spirit. Gentle my heart with your love, heavenly Father. Tenderize my heart with your grace, Lord Jesus. Indeed, it will take the whole Trinity to change someone like me. Bring the resources of the gospel to bear upon my grumpy heart. Bring the power that raised Jesus from the dead to bear upon my untamed tongue. Bring the hope of the new heaven and new earth to bear upon my impatient attitude. I pray in Jesus’ powerful name, with gratitude and expectancy.
Amen.