“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” Proverbs 26:12

Lord God, Sometimes I am tempted to read a chapter of the Bible, to listen to a sermon, or to dig into a Bible study and to think about certain people who really need to hear this. I’m tempted to think about how this Word from God applies to them, but I do not apply these words to myself. Forgive me, Lord. This kind of thinking is the beginning of foolishness. It is the beginning of pride. It is the beginning of falling away from your Word and a hardening toward it. Forgive me and help me. Open up my heart and my ears so that I might receive your Word. When you send out your Word and your Spirit, when it hits my ears, you intend that word to be first for me. Help me to take that Word into my heart and to let it take root there. You intend to bless, to help, to transform, even to save me through your Word. So, Lord, take the cotton balls out of my ears and soften my hardening heart so that I might hear, believe, and bear abundant fruit for you in my whole life. Help me, Spirit. Save me, dear Jesus. Amen.