Lord God,
You see the hidden places of my heart
better than I see them myself.
You know the flames that burn inside me—
the pride, the anger, the stubbornness,
the need to be right,
the hesitations to forgive,
the quiet resentments I keep alive.
Father, I come to You as I am,
not pretending,
not defending myself,
not covering my faults.
Take me gently in Your hands
and lower me into the waters of repentance.
Extinguish the fire that harms me
and wounds others through me.
Humble me, Lord,
not to shame me,
but to free me.
Let me surrender the part of me
that clings to superiority,
that fears being wrong,
that resists letting go.
Breathe Your Spirit into me.
Let Your wind cool my heart
and carry me where I could never go on my own.
Make me light in spirit—
quick to forgive,
slow to judge,
eager to show mercy,
willing to release old grievances.
Protect me, O God,
from the baptism of fire that comes
when pride grows unchecked.
Do not let me fall into the flames
I myself can create.
Keep me from anger that corrodes,
from bitterness that blinds,
from judgment that condemns my own soul.
Give me the courage to bow low
so that You may lift me up.
Give me the grace to forgive
so that forgiveness may find me too.
Give me a heart that seeks peace
so that Your peace may dwell within it.
Lord, immerse me in Your Spirit.
Surround me with Your love.
Extinguish every destructive fire in me,
and kindle instead the flame of compassion,
the fire of joy,
and the warmth of Your presence.
I give myself to You—
not proud,
not perfect,
but willing.
Amen.