Praying for Humility, Part 1

MOP / March 25, 2010 / 4.6k

This month we will be praying through Psalm 90. This is a great Psalm to pray for humility. We are all born with pride in us because of our sinful nature passed down from Adam and Eve. The word of God has alot to say about pride vs humility.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:3

A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Proverbs 29:23

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. 2 Samuel 22:28

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:9

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

We have a lot to learn from Moses. Moses had been so close to God. He was known for his humility.

“Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)

This intimacy with God came at a great cost.

He chose a path that took him from the palaces of earth to the very throne of God. He couldn’t have both. He didn’t want both. He chose the greater. He chose God. Moses started high in the Egyptian palace and descended to the desert with God. He exchanged heaven for earth.

Below are comments on Moses’ perspective of life from Psalm 90. If we adopt his perspectives, then we will gain humility and wisdom.

We invite you to meditate on Psalm 90 and use the prayer points to pray verse by verse this month.

(A Prayer of Moses the man of God.)	Verses from Psalm 90	Prayer Point to consider on each verse
Life dependent (Psalms 90:1).	Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.	We never have and never could be in a place where we were not totally dependent upon what the Lord God has made.
Exalt God’s Eternal nature (Psalms 90:2)	Before the mountains were born, Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.	God always was in His greatness. God is above time; He created it for man. God is not dependent upon anyone including ourselves! He is Elohim.
Remember our humble origins (Psalms 90:3)	Thou dost turn man back into dust, And dost say, “Return, O children of men.”	We started off as dust and shall return to such. God put us together, but we keep thinking we are more than what God has assembled. Time will tell!
Bound in time (Psalms 90:4)	For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night.	God is beyond time; but we are bound in time. Our lives are as a brief second to Him. He is Omnipresent. He will exist forever.
Memories washed away (Psalms 90:5-6)	Thou hast swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew. In the morning it flourishes, and sprouts anew; Toward evening it fades, and withers away.	Man’s hard work will be all washed away like a flood. No more remembrance. Comes and goes like a flower that blooms for one day.
Under judgment (Psalms 90:7)	For we have been consumed by Thine anger, And by Thy wrath we have been dismayed.	God’s anger is upon us even as we are part of creation and have been cursed. Death chases the life in our bodies. We are frail and keep afloat only by God’s grace. Without it, we would perish in an instant.
Exposed (Psalms 90:8)	Thou hast placed our iniquities before Thee, Our secret sins in the light of Thy presence.	We might hide our sin before man but not before God. Each sin, every thought or action is all exposed before our Creator and our rebellion judged.
Frailty of old age (Psalms 90:9)	For all our days have declined in Thy fury; We have finished our years like a sigh.	We might still be young in spirit but our real age reflects God’s coming judgment upon our bodies. Our systems start malfunctioning. Movement becomes painful rather than exhilarating.
Numbered Days (Psalms 90:10)	As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.	Our days are numbered. Long life is a joke. Life only seems long to the young. Those who are older know life is astonishingly brief.
Ignorance (Psalms 90:11)	Who understands the power of Thine anger, And Thy fury, according to the fear that is due Thee?	We forget, ignore and look for distraction from the signs of God’s judgment upon our lives. We are oblivious to what is so obvious.
Gaining wisdom (Psalms 90:12)	So teach us to number our days, That we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.	Wisdom comes only when we see the value of our days. We can value our days only when we know they are limited in number.
Seeking mercy (Psalms 90:13)	Do return, O LORD; how long will it be? And be sorry for Thy servants.	We need relief from God’s judgment. We seek help from Him.
Seeking grace (Psalms 90:14)	O satisfy us in the morning with Thy lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.	True life comes from Him. In the midst of destruction, God brings love and favor all of our days.
Developing Thankfulness (Psalms 90:15)	Make us glad according to the days Thou hast afflicted us, And the years we have seen evil.	Only the Lord can make us glad in the midst of this hard and evil world. Let us ask Him for this thankful heart!
Passing the blessing on (Psalms 90:16)	Let Thy work appear to Thy servants, And Thy majesty to their children.	Since our lives are so short, we want to pass our blessing of knowing God and His work on to our children.
Establishing value (Psalms 90:17)	And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And do confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.	A fulfilling life starts with the Lord’s favor. He alone can make what we do valuable. In a sense, our work is nothing to Him, but He can establish it through His strength.

Here is a prayer for you. “Lord God, help us to gain a heart of wisdom into your humility by getting the proper perspective on who we are compared to who You are. We thank you God for sending your Son Jesus to die for our prideful nature. That Jesus took our place on the cross and exchanged His perfect life of humility for our sinful lives. We are made new creations in Christ Jesus through His death and resurrection and now we can walk daily in humility by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. Lord God help us not to forget that we have the ability through the Holy Spirit to daily crucify our prideful nature and choose humilty. By doing this we become living epistles to everyone around us and declare that we are indeed your children. For whom the Son sets free is free indeed. We thank you Lord and we love you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Chart provided by Biblical Foundations for freedom.

Part 2 of this article is called 21 ways of countering pride with humility and you can find it here

Here are some other prayers that have to do with restoration:

Proverbs 23: 17-19 The Prayer of Expectation

Joshua 1:8 – Prayer For Success and Prosperity

Praying for a Hundredfold Blessing on Your Harvest – Matthew 13:3-9