Servant Of Everyone Else

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?”

 

But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. 

He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

—Mark 9:33-35 (NLT)

Dear Lord,

May the things that I say and do—and the deepest thoughts and motives of my heart—be pleasing to You, so that I never have to be ashamed when asked to account for them.

Help me to be on guard against being caught up in striving for my own personal gain—only to find myself allowing my own ambition to push aside Your plans and purposes for me.

Help me to watch that I don’t allow my own insecurities or pride to cause me to put too much stock in the power of my position or the amount of prestige it might happen to carry—but humbly remember that I am nothing without You.

Help me to fully understand that all of my energy, time and talents should be directed to knowing Christ for myself and making Him known to others—through service to them.

Help me to follow Christ’s example of leadership and take on the role of servant to all—out of the unfailing love You placed in my heart when You first loved me.

May the things that I say and do—and the deepest thoughts and motives of my heart—be pleasing to You, so that I never have to be ashamed when asked to account for them.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.