Are you seeking ways to grow spiritually and tame pride? Dive into these powerful prayers to overcome pride, guiding you toward humility and self-growth.
Are you struggling with pride in your daily life? If the answer is yes, you are not alone. Pride is one of those things that often show up in our interactions, speech, and actions. If we are not careful, we can become blinded by our pride and miss out on the blessing of humility.
But pride doesn’t have to have the final say in our lives. It is possible to tame pride and grow in humility. In our own strength we cannot muster humility, it is only through God’s help by His Holy Spirit that we can live lives of true humility, and begin to deny the spirit of pride.
If you are looking for guidance on how to overcome pride, God’s Word is filled with wisdom to help you, and you can use these prayers to overcome pride alongside Scripture.
Prayers to Overcome Pride
1. A Prayer For Recognizing The Sin Of Pride In Daily Actions
For by the grace given me, I say to every one of you:
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
but rather think of yourself with sober judgment,
in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
– Romans 12:3
Dear Lord,
So often I am blinded by the sin of pride that floods into my everyday life. I am not always aware of it, but I am seeing more and more of its destructive pattern, and know that it is something that I need to surrender to You.
Please help me to deny myself, and my pride, and humble myself before You. Help me to recognize prideful behavior in my daily actions, to confess them to You, and to deal humbly with others.
Grant me the grace to think soberly of myself, rather than think highly of myself. Help me to decrease so that You might increase in my life and my actions.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
2. A Prayer For The Guidance Of The Holy Spirit In Conquering Prideful Thoughts
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
– 1 John 2:16
Abba Father,
Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit, and His power of conviction in our hearts. Thank You for graciously showing me my pride, and for the promise that there is always hope for change and true humility.
Your Word says that the pride of life does not come from You but from the world. I confess that my mind has been plagued with prideful thoughts. Thoughts that do not honor You, or those around me.
My prayer is for Your Holy Spirit’s guidance in overcoming my prideful thoughts, and filling my mind with the things from above. Rid me of worldly, selfish thinking, and fill my mind with Your word and my heart with Your humble Spirit.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
3. A Prayer For Wisdom To Recognize Pride In Your Life
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
– James 4:10
Dear Heavenly Father,
Just like the Psalmist, my prideful heart cries out, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there are any offensive ways in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Please grant me the eyes to see patterns of pride in my life. Make me aware of any lofty thoughts, prideful behaviors, and self-centered responses in my life.
I ask for the wisdom to identify pride in my life, and to be sober in my judgment of myself. Help me to walk the path of genuine humility, and to reflect Christ in my thoughts, actions, and speech.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
4. A Prayer For Grace To Overcome The Stronghold of Pride
But He gives us more grace.
That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.
– James 4:6
Gracious God,
I feel weak and in desperate need of grace in my battle against pride. It is hard to admit, but pride has been a stronghold in my life for far too long. The more I rely on myself, the less I can fight against my pride.
Please forgive me for my pride. Help me to lay down my prideful ways, and to humbly respond to Your conviction. I ask that You grant me a spirit of humility and rid me of any haughtiness.
Fill me with the strength to overcome the stronghold of pride, and help me to rely on Your Spirit.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
5. A Prayer Seeking Forgiveness After Moments of Pride
To fear the Lord is toa hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse speech.
– Proverbs 8:13
Heavenly Father,
I have sinned and fallen short. I am sorry for the pridefulness that I chose to show, rather than choosing a response of humility and meekness. Please forgive me, and grant me grace.
I ask not only for Your forgiveness for this moment but that Your Holy Spirit guide me. Guide me in my daily actions, and help me to pursue godly wisdom and humility, rather than human wisdom and pride.
Help me to turn away from pride and arrogance, and to hate it rather than indulge in it. Please help me to grow in my knowledge and fear of You, so that I might keep You at the forefront of my mind in all that I do.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
6. A Prayer For Humility In Times of Disagreement And Conflict
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. – Romans 12:16
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for the gift of relationships. I know no relationship is perfect, and there will be times of disagreement and conflict. You have created us differently, and our sin also plays a role in our relations with one another.
My prayer is that You would help me to respond in humility in times of conflict and disagreement. It is so easy to put up a defense of pride, and to disregard the other person, or only see my feelings or perspective.
Please help me to consider others above myself, and to be slow to speak and quick to hear. Grant me patience to bear with those whom I am in disagreement with. Rid me of a proud heart and help me to respond with gentleness and humility.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
7. A Prayer For Letting Go Of Prideful Tendencies In Relationships
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
– Philippians 2:3
Dear God,
I am grateful for Your constant grace. Thank You for not leaving me in my sin but for showing me how I have gone astray, and for directing me back onto the path of life.
One of those areas where I am falling short is in my prideful tendencies in my relationships with others. Instead of being quick to listen, and to value others above myself, I have been quick to speak and defend myself.
Please forgive me for the pride and selfish ambition that I have displayed in my relationships. Rid me of the spirit of arrogance, and help me to respond in humility and love in my relationships.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
8. A Prayer To Cast Out A Haughty Spirit
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
– Proverbs 16:18
Lord,
I look to You in my struggle against pride. I know that You oppose the proud and give grace to the humble. Yet, so often I find myself being controlled by a spirit of haughtiness, rather than one of humility.
You have not called me to live in arrogance and with self-importance. You have called me to deny myself, to humble myself, and to decrease so that Christ might increase.
I know that all things are possible for those who call on the name of the Lord. My cry today is that You would cast out the spirit of haughtiness within me and help me nurture a spirit of humility.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
9. A Prayer for Embracing Humility While Receiving Feedback or Criticism
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
– Proverbs 13:10
Father in Heaven,
I confess it is so hard to respond in humility during feedback or criticism. My natural instinct is to be defensive or even feel offended. But I know that there is a place for feedback and that there is wisdom in taking advice and constructive criticism.
Please help me to embrace humility in these times. Keep me from being quick to respond and to put up a defense. Help me to consider what others are saying and to examine myself, and my heart.
Help me to value the relationships in my life that do offer me honesty, and that are there for my good. Show me ways in which I can apply that feedback and grow in the areas where I need to.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
10. A Prayer for Humility in Times of Accomplishment or Recognition
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
– Proverbs 18:12
Dear Lord,
I am grateful for all the gifts that You have given me. Thank You for Your kindness in my life, and for the times of recognition and accomplishment for the work that I am doing. I know even in times of recognition it is important to examine my heart.
Please help me to be humble in times when I receive recognition. Help me remember that I cannot accomplish anything apart from You. You have given me my skills, strengths, and abilities, they are not my own.
Help me to acknowledge You during those times, and to give You honor and praise. May I enjoy the rewards of my work and accomplishments but do so in a spirit of humility instead of sinful pride.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
11. Prayer Seeking Humility To Apologize For Hurting Others In Times Of Pride
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
– 1 Corinthians 13:4
God,
I need Your grace today. In the heat of the moment, it is so easy and comes so naturally to respond to others in pride. But I know that pride is of the flesh and not of the Spirit. Please forgive me for my prideful reactions and tendencies in my relationships.
I ask that You grant me the humility to acknowledge my sin to those whom I have hurt in my pride. Help me to humble myself, and to seek their forgiveness. May my apology come from a sincere heart, and seek to mend the hurt that I have caused.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
12. A Prayer to Call Upon Jesus’ Name When Struggling With Pride
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.
– Psalm 138:6
Lord,
I am calling upon Your name today. I feel so defeated by the pride that rules my heart and has taken over my actions and my speech. I see how destructive it has been, and I know that it not only hurts those around me but it keeps me from experiencing Your grace.
Your Word says that You give grace to the humble, but that You oppose the proud. Please forgive me for my pride. Help me to surrender this pride and to call on Jesus’ Name in times when I am struggling with pride.
I know You hear my prayer, and that You see my heart. Please remove pride from me, and lavish me with humility and meekness. May my words and deeds be marked by humility rather than pride.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
13. A Prayer for Wisdom In Managing Pride-Related Insecurities
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
– Proverbs 11:2
Mighty God,
I don’t know where else to turn but to You. My heart is overflowing with insecurities and it all seems to lead back to pride. I know that You despise pride, and call us to walk in humility. Please forgive me for my pride, and help me to humble myself before Your throne.
I ask for Your wisdom in how to manage pride-related insecurities. Help me not to seek fulfillment or a sense of security in my self-esteem, but to root my identity in You.
Please make me aware of the moments where I am being driven by my pride, and help me to bring that pride and those insecurities to You in prayer.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
14. A Prayer For Humility In Seeking Help Or Guidance From Others
Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken.
– Jeremiah 13:15
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the wisdom that Your Word brings. I know that You have given us wisdom and guidance as a gift to be cherished. But if I am being honest, I have found myself having a hard time turning to others for help or guidance.
I know that it is easy to hide behind the excuse that I don’t want to bother others, yet, I know there is a deeper issue in my heart. I am struggling with pride. I am struggling to admit that I need help and that I can’t do this on my own.
Please forgive me for the pride that I show even in times of need. Grant me the humility to seek help or guidance from others, knowing that it is nothing to be ashamed of.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
15. A Short Spiritual Warfare Prayer To Clothe Yourself In God’s Armor To Combat Pride
But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
– 2 Corinthians 10:17
Heavenly Father,
I come before You confessing my sin of pride. My boasting has been in myself rather than in You, and for that, I am so sorry. I know that pride is something You oppose, and it is a part of the daily war that we wage against.
Please clothe me in Your armor that I might withstand the temptation of pride. May Your mighty power work in me so that I may live a life of humility and meekness. May the love of Christ in me be greater than my love of self and my pride.
Help me to remember to do all things to the glory of God. May I crucify pride to the glory of God, and stand firm against its deceitfulness.
In the Mighty Name of Jesus,
Amen.
More Encouraging Prayers for Spiritual Growth:
8 Prayers For Self-Love
7 Prayers For God’s Glory
4 Prayers For Peace Of Mind
3 Prayers For Growing Closer To God
5 Prayers For Help
6 Encouraging Prayers For Hope
