Joyful Moments in Christ

A Prayer for the Poor in Spirit

A Prayer for the Poor in Spirit

A Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are holy, righteous, and all-powerful, yet you draw near to the humble and brokenhearted. You are the God who lifts up the lowly and fills the spiritually empty with your grace and mercy. In your kingdom, you exalt those who recognize their need for you and bless them with the riches of your presence.

Matthew 5:3 (ESV): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I confess that I often fall into pride, relying on my own strength, wisdom, and achievements instead of acknowledging my deep dependence on you. I resist admitting my spiritual poverty and sometimes act as though I have earned your love or grace. Please forgive me for my arrogance and self-reliance. Help me to remember that apart from you, I am nothing and can do nothing of lasting value.

Isaiah 66:2 (ESV): All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Thank you for your promise that the poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Thank you for your generosity in pouring out your blessings on those who recognize their need for you. I am grateful that you do not demand perfection from me but instead welcome me when I come to you with humility and faith.

Luke 18:13-14 (ESV): But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

Lord, I ask you to walk beside me when my heart is poor in spirit, when I am filled with despair. Teach me to daily recognize my need for your grace, my need for your mercy, and to trust in your sufficiency rather than my own efforts. Help me to approach others with the same humility and compassion that you show to me. May my life reflect the beauty of your kingdom, where the weak are made strong and the humble are lifted up.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Respond

Please pray a prayer for the poor in spirit.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, you can use the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication:

  • Adoration: Praise God. Does this topic bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
  • Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this topic bring any specific sins to mind?
  • Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this topic inspire gratitude?
  • Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this topic inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

A Prayer for the Poor in Spirit
Matthew 5:3 (ESV): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Isaiah 66:2 (ESV): All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Luke 18:13-14 (ESV): But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

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