Admit your need, come humbly, and trust God more than your own standing

Protect your image and prove that you already have enough strength

Keep your outward religion steady while avoiding inward change

Wait for life to humble you before you take any action

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that I cannot make myself fit for your kingdom. I turn from my sin and from my pride. I believe you died for me and rose again. I confess you as Lord and ask you to make me new, humble, and childlike before God. Thank you for hearing me. Amen.

Come to Jesus in Humble Trust

Lord, revive your Church where we have grown proud, self-reliant, and slow to turn. Make us humble enough to become like children, teachable enough to receive your word, and faithful enough to live under your reign. Awaken us again to your holy warning and your gracious invitation, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Renew Your Church in Humility

Pray by naming one place where you resist change, asking God to help you turn, and then asking for one childlike next step of trust or obedience today.

Pray for a Childlike Heart

Father, forgive me for the ways I cling to status, self-protection, and control. Turn my heart toward you, make me teachable, and give me the humility of a child who trusts your care. Help me change for real, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Turning from Pride

Thank God for speaking clearly before it is too late, for warning us with mercy, and for inviting us into his heavenly reign by grace. Thank him that his correction is love.

Thank God for Honest Warning

Pray for someone you know who is hardened, proud, or spiritually self-sufficient, that God would soften them, help them turn, and give them a childlike trust in him.

For Those Who Need to Turn

καὶ{KE###KEH###(And)} εἶπεν·{EE-pen###EE-pehn###he said} Ἀμὴν{a-MEEN###ah-MEEN###Truly} λέγω{LE-go###LEH-goh###I say} ὑμῖν,{hee-MEEN###hee-MEEN###to you} ἐὰν{e-AN###eh-AHN###if} μὴ{MEE###MEE###not} στραφῆτε{stra-FEE-te###stra-FEE-teh###you turn} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} γένησθε{YE-nee-sthe###YEH-nee-stheh###become} ὡς{hos###hohs###as} τὰ{TA###TAH###the} παιδία,{pe-DEE-a###peh-DEE-ah###children} οὐ{oo###oo###certainly} μὴ{MEE###MEE###not} εἰσέλθητε{ees-EL-thee-te###ees-EHL-thee-teh###enter} εἰς{ees###ees###into} τὴν{TEEN###TEEN###the} βασιλείαν{va-see-LEE-an###vah-see-LEE-ahn###kingdom} τῶν{TON###TOHN###of the} οὐρανῶν.{oo-ra-NON###oo-rah-NOHN###heavens}

Matthew 18:3 — LiteralTAB

More on this verse