It doesn’t take intelligence to be be critical. Criticism is low-hanging fruit–it’s such an easy and attractive tactic for an unhappy person. A critical spirit easily morphs into resentment. Resentment can destroy the soul of a leader.

1. Do you pray that resentment will keep its distant from your leadership?
2. Can you relate to this prayer (written by Scotty Smith/Christ Community Church)?

Lord Jesus, it’s been entirely too hot in our city this summer, and I’ve registered that protest entirely too many times—so often, I can now see that my complaining has been morphing into resenting. It came to a head yesterday when I walked out my front door for a jog, only to find myself cursing the humidity, the temperature, even the sun. That led to a thirty-minute pout and deep conviction by your Holy Spirit. You made it clear the weather isn’t the only thing I’ve been resenting lately. Have mercy on me, the sinner, have mercy on me, gracious Savior.

I resent crazy-making in the Body of Christ—obnoxious pettiness and drive-by-shooting criticisms. I resent roads that are always being repaired; drivers that delay moving four seconds after the red light turns green; birds that do their business on my windshield right after I exit the car wash.

I resent resentful people. Why can’t they stop their whining and be more content with what they have? I resent good grass dying and crabgrass thriving. I resent the recent political madness of our government. I especially resent inequitable suffering. People I love suffer too much, too soon, too often in life. It just doesn’t seem right or fair, Jesus.

I resent having to explain and repeat myself. Why can’t everybody instantly intuit what I’m thinking? I resent grocery stores running out of my favorite cereal. Who does their stocking, anyway? I resent gossips, so much that I gossip to others about their gossip. I resent change and transition. Why can’t everything stay the same, or at least disrupt my plans minimally?

Jesus, my resentment will either kill me as a fool or drive me to you for life. Today, I choose the second option.

[to read the rest of this prayer and the need for forgiveness, go here

Question: What is the common subject of prayer as it relates to your life? Pride? Insecurity? Faith? Share it here.