Self-Examination
O God,
There are ways that we can examine ourselves for physical problems and perhaps detect them early so that something can be done about them before they become too advanced. Make us wise enough to take advantage of such opportunities for self-examination.
There are also ways that we can examine ourselves for the sake of our spiritual health. Make us wise enough to be diligent in such spiritual self-examination.
Help us to examine ourselves for the presence of love, mercy, grace, faith, hope, peace, understanding, selflessness, and sacrifice so that we can nurture them and encourage their growth.
Help us to examine ourselves for the presence of pride, envy, fear, anger, prejudice, selfishness, despair, unforgiveness, and apathy so that we can take steps to eliminate them.
Remind us that our standard for self-examination is Jesus Christ; guide us by your Spirit to read and to understand what your Book teaches us about him and about us. Make us constantly aware of your constant presence with us through your Spirit and help us to listen to your whispers and to be sensitive to your nudges as we try to find our way.
Help us to examine ourselves so that we can build on what is helpful and root out what is harmful so that we can better love you with all that we are and better love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
Amen.
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