A Prayer for the Lowest Place

Lord Jesus, you walked toward a cross while your friends argued about rank. We know that road too well. We come to you on your day with our own quiet rankings, our comparisons, our hunger to be noticed.

You sat down and told us that the first must be last and the servant of all. We ask you to make that sentence true in us, not only in our words but in how we spend our attention this week.

Show us the child in the middle of our lives, the one who can do nothing for us. Give us your arms for them. Let us welcome them and, in welcoming them, welcome you.

Forgive our silence when we should have asked, and our arguing when we should have listened. Make our churches places where the last are honored. Amen.