Breaking Through Pride and Calling Out to Jesus

It sounds simple—but how do we actually do it?

If calling out to Jesus were only about knowing the right words, everyone would do it easily. But the real obstacle is rarely knowledge—it’s pride. Pride convinces us we’re fine, that we should handle things ourselves, or that we need to “fix” ourselves before coming to God. Scripture shows us the opposite: breakthrough begins when pride breaks.

What Pride Really Does

Pride isn’t always loud or obvious. Often it sounds like:

• “I don’t want to bother God with this.”

• “I should be stronger than this by now.”

• “Others have it worse—I’ll deal with it.”

• “I’ll come to God once I get myself together.”

Pride shifts our dependence from God to ourselves. And the truth is, we cannot save, heal, or transform ourselves. Pride delays freedom; humility opens the door to grace.

Why Calling Out to Jesus Feels Hard

Calling out to Jesus requires honesty—and honesty can feel vulnerable. It means admitting weakness, need, and failure. But throughout Scripture, Jesus responds most powerfully not to perfect people, but to desperate ones.

Those who cried out to Him didn’t have polished prayers. They had faith mixed with need. Their calling out wasn’t eloquent—it was sincere.

God is not impressed by performance. He responds to humility.

How Do We Actually Break Through Pride?

1. Name the Need

Stop minimizing what you’re carrying. Say it plainly to God. Calling out to Jesus often starts with a simple, honest cry like, “Lord, I need You.”

2. Let Go of Control

Pride clings to control. Humility releases it. Surrender doesn’t mean giving up—it means placing your trust where it belongs.

3. Come as You Are

You don’t clean yourself before a shower. You come to be cleaned. Jesus invites us the same way—sin, doubt, fear, and all.

4. Trust His Character

Calling out to Jesus requires believing that He is good, merciful, and willing to help. Scripture assures us that He draws near to the humble and hears those who cry out.

5. Keep Calling

Sometimes breakthrough isn’t instant. Persistence is not unbelief—it’s faith refusing to let go. Keep calling, even when feelings lag behind truth.

Why This Matters

Breaking through pride is not about humiliation—it’s about freedom. Pride isolates. Humility reconnects us to God’s strength. When we call out to Jesus, we shift from self-reliance to God-dependence, and that’s where transformation begins.

Jesus never rejected a sincere cry for help. And He hasn’t changed.

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Closing Prayer

Jesus,

We come to You honestly, laying down our pride, our self-reliance, and our fear. Teach us to humble ourselves and to call out to You without hesitation. Help us trust Your mercy more than our ability and Your grace more than our effort. We surrender control and ask You to meet us right where we are. Break through every wall of pride and draw us closer to You.

In Your powerful and loving name we pray,

Amen.

Praise Jesus! Amen! 🙌

T

Sources

• Proverbs 16:18

• James 4:6–10

• Psalm 34:17–18

• Luke 18:9–14

• Matthew 11:28–30

• Romans 10:13

• 1 Peter 5:5–7