O Lord, open our minds to see ourselves as you see us,
or even as others see us and we see others,
and deliver us from all unwillingness to know our own frailty,
save us and help us, we humbly beg you, O Lord.
From love of flattery;
from readily believing in praise;
from dislike of criticism;
from the comfort of self-deception
in persuading ourselves that others think better
than the truth about us,
save us and help us, we humbly beg you, O Lord.
Most of all, Lord, we beg you, give us knowledge of you,
to see you in all your works,
always to feel your presence near,
to hear and know your call.
May your Spirit be our spirit,
your words be our words,
and your will our will,
and in all shortcomings and frailties
may we have sure faith in you,
save us and help us, we humbly beg you, O Lord.
George Ridding, 1828-1904, English educator and bishop
2000 Years of Prayer freely modified
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For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.
prayer & verse 
I desperately needed this prayer and scripture this morning after coming out of a meeting last night where I sought men’s affirmation more than the Lord’s.
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