A Prayer To Let Go Of Justifying Flawed Choices

 It’s interesting to watch the decisions of people as they decided whether or not to get vaccinate, what vaccine they are willing to take and their actions around it all.  Everyone has their reasons for their choices – even if some of those reasons seem based in pretty far-fetched conspiracy theories that circulate on the internet.  It’s so easy to find something that helps us justify our own thinking – even if it is flawed, isn’t it? 

When our behaviour is challenged, we are quick to try to justify ourselves.   If we are challenged for doing wrong, we justify it by saying, “This is just the way I am.”  We justify anger by saying “He or she made me mad.”  We justify being rude by saying “I just speak my mind.”  Sometimes we are unwilling to see the exact nature of our wrongs.  we often make excuses or even lie to others after failing to fulfill the commitments we made.  We became experts at making up believable excuses and even justified lying to ourselves.  Self-justification is rooted in our thinking we are better human beings than we truly are.  It’s time to admit that wrong is wrong, and that we are guilty of wrong thinking and wrong behaviour.

Suppose we claim we are without sin.  Then we are fooling ourselves.  The truth is not in us.  But God is faithful and fair.  If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins.  He will forgive every wrong thing we have done.  He will make us pure. 

1 John 1:8-9

Here’s God’s invitation today to us:

I, the Lord, am the one speaking to you.  Come, let’s discuss this.  Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow. 

Isaiah 1:18

God has given me a special gift, and that is why I have something

to say to each one of you.  Don’t think that you are better than

you really are.  You must see yourself just as you are. 

Decide what you are by the faith God has given each of us. 

Romans 12:3

So, let’s bring ourselves to God today, trusting Him to show us reality from His point of view and giving us the humility to accept this truth spoken to us from His loving heart.

Heavenly Father, we want to see ourselves as You see us, as we truly are.  We want to know truth and to give up justifying wrong attitudes or behaviours.  We want our thoughts and our motives to no longer be held captive to self-justification. 

Forgive us Lord for the narrowmindedness of seeing only our own needs and failing to take the needs of others more vulnerable than ourselves into consideration as we adjust not only our behaviour in relation to COVID-19, but also in dealing with individuals who are strugglers or who have habits or personalities that different than ours.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Matthew 6:33

We want our thoughts, words, and actions to be consistent with what we say about being Your followers and being those who are willing to serve.  It’s too easy to know that we are to seek You first and Your kingdom but still act differently in pursuit of our own interests.  Forgive us Lord.  Help us to become more like You. 

If God has been generous with you, he will expect you to serve him well. But if he has been more than generous, he will expect you to serve him even better. 

Luke 12:48

We also want to acknowledge all that You’ve given us and pray for grace and wisdom to use the opportunities and talents that we have.  Help us to not justify sloppiness or laziness or fear by pretending our potential and resources are less than what they are.  You’ve told us that when much is given, much is required. We want to be faithful servants of Yours today, not those who have to stand before You at the end of the day looking for excuses for our poor choices.

Lord, would You help all of us make the right choices that take care of others and keep all of us as safe as possible.   May this be one expression of Your heart when You said ….

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved

you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for

his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.. 

John 15:12-14