a confession from Philippians 2

As a church staff, we read through and discussed Paul David Tripp’s Lead this fall. Chapter 9 on identity prompted me to pray this prayer based on Philippians 2:

Father, 

We confess that we have ministered out of selfish ambition and vain conceit. We have counted ourselves as more significant than others. We have looked out for our own interests rather than the interest of others. 

We confess that we have failed to live as if we have the mind of Christ. We have viewed the positions you have given as rights to be used for our own advantage.  We have become puffed up and have sought to be served rather than to serve.  

Father, we ask in the name of Jesus and by the power of your Spirit that you would forgive us, heal us, and conform us to the image of your Son.  

We do not deserve such grace, but you freely offer it through your Son who emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

Through the power of your Spirit, may Christ be exalted in all the earth to the praise of your glorious grace. Amen.