A Prayer for Humility and Wisdom in Boasting
"That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting." - 2 Corinthians 11:17

Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with humble hearts, eager to delve into the depths of Your Word. We are reminded through the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 11:17, "That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting." Lord, we see in this verse the dual nature of our human experience—the tension between our desire to proclaim the truth and our propensity for self-aggrandizement.
Father, as I read these words, I feel a deep yearning to understand the nature of boasting and confidence in my own life. How often, O Lord, do I speak foolishly? How often do I wrap my own words in pride, disguising them as confidence? Help me, dear God, to recognize the times when my speech does not align with Your will and wisdom. Let me never confuse my own ambitions with Your divine purpose.
Lord, teach me to embrace humility. Instill in me a recognition of my limitations and imperfections. Remind me that any gift I possess, any ability to speak, is a blessing bestowed by You. May my words reflect Your glory rather than my own. Help me to speak not in a manner that draws attention to myself but in a way that points others toward Your greatness. Let the confidence that arises in my heart be rooted in who You are rather than what I can achieve.
As I navigate the ups and downs of life, Lord, grant me discernment. In moments when I feel the urge to boast—whether it is through my accomplishments, my healing journeys, or my understanding of Your Word—let me pause and remember that all good things come from You. May I echo the psalmist’s praise, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory" (Psalm 115:1).
Guide my conversations, sweet Lord. When faced with the temptation to elevate myself in the eyes of others, remind me of the humility of Christ. Help me to follow His example of servanthood. You taught that the greatest among us shall be our servant (Matthew 23:11). May I seek to serve rather than to be served, to edify others rather than inflate my own ego.
In this world that often prizes boasting and self-promotion, it's easy to slip into a mindset that values accolades and recognition. Help me, Father, to be countercultural in my speech. Let my confidence be rooted in Your truth rather than my perception of success. When I share my experiences, allow them to reflect the lessons learned through Your guidance and not my self-perceived wisdom. Let every story I tell be infused with Your light, showcasing the work You have done within me.
Lord Jesus, I ask that You would transform my understanding of what it means to speak with confidence. Let my words be a reflection of Your love—encouraging and uplifting those who hear them. Teach me the art of boasting not in myself but in my weaknesses, for in my weakness, Your strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).
As I continue to grow in my relationship with You, may my life be a testimony to Your grace. May the words I speak build bridges rather than walls, foster unity rather than division. Help me to never forget that apart from You, I can do nothing (John 15:5).
With thankful hearts, we your children lift this prayer to You, trusting that You are transforming us day by day into vessels for Your glory. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray,
Amen.
Want to pray more deeply over 2 Corinthians 11:17?
Explore this scripture further with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for diving deeper into God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, find related verses, and enrich your faith.
Get Our Apps
2 Corinthians 11:17 Artwork
2 Corinthians 11:17 - "That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting."
"That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting." - 2 Corinthians 11:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 4:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 11:11 - "Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth."
2 Corinthians 6:11 - "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged."
1 Corinthians 11:17 - "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse."
2 Corinthians 10:17 - "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
2 Corinthians 3:17 - "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
2 Corinthians 2:11 - "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
2 Corinthians 11:14 - "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
2 Corinthians 2:17 - "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."
2 Corinthians 11:5 - "For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles."
2 Corinthians 11:13 - "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."
2 Corinthians 11:19 - "For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise."
2 Corinthians 11:29 - "Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?"
2 Corinthians 12:17 - "Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?"
2 Corinthians 3:11 - "For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."
2 Corinthians 11:24 - "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one."
2 Corinthians 11:27 - "In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."