Day 4 – The Proud & Haughty

Hannah prayed: “Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions.” 1 Samuel 2:3 NLT

Mary prayed: “His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and the haughty ones.” Luke 1:51 NLT

It’s odd to read these statements within a prayer of praise, but both our ladies pray about what will happen to the proud and haughty. We know more about Hannah’s circumstances and could easier understand why. We are not told much about Mary’s past except that she was righteous in God’s sight. What I can say with a fact is that both our ladies were devout Hebrews and would’ve known the scriptures and history of their people understanding where the pride and haughtiness have brought their people in the past. And, those who oppose God will be judged and scattered.

I chewed on this thought a little only to realize I have prayed similarly in my life as well: against the proud and haughty who do not take God’s commands to heart and with justification try to get away with their sins. But also to guard my heart against these because I do not want God to think of me as proud and haughty.

When incorporating this into your prayer, we stand against the proud and haughty opposing God. It is not our place to judge or chase them out, that belongs to God. But it is our responsibility to pray for their hearts to be turned toward God because of our love in Jesus for them. This includes praying for your enemies and their eternal salvation. Not one soul should suffer damnation regardless of our feelings towards them, they are all loved by God our Father and your intercession might make the difference.

Prayer: Father, I know it is easy to pray against the proud and haughty and ask You to scatter them from my life, but it is not so easy to pray for their salvation. This morning, O Lord, I come and ask that You will reach them through the Holy Spirit and have a divine appointment with them, and may there be beautiful repentance through Jesus as they realize what their actions caused. Father, guide me to guard my heart against any proud and haughty action. Amen.