Tag: speaking

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Strive for Truth and Love

Loving Savior,
You direct us in your Word to speak the truth in love. While this should go without saying, it quickly becomes clear to me how difficult it is when I deliberately try to apply it! I have spent endless time and energy in my own mind trying to massage and bend the truth to suit my own purposes. Other times, I circumvent the truth to avoid difficult or uncomfortable conversations. While I consider myself an expert in telling when others are lying, I gloss over my own expertise in lying and deceiving. 

All of this also exposes my shortcomings in the second part of the command, for if love always directed my words and speech, the truth would never be in question. Instead, either selfishness replaces love, resulting in half-truths and white lies, or I am too eager to speak the truth because I know it will negatively impact someone else’s reputation. For all of this, I thank you for speaking the truth in love to me by being blunt about what my lies and lack of love really deserve from you, but also for being relentlessly devoted to making sure I know and believe the truth of how covered in your grace and forgiveness I really am. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

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To Know When to Speak and When to Listen

Holy Spirit,
In every situation, there is a time to speak and a time to listen. I pray for the wisdom to know the difference. Before I rush to speak, give me the patience to hear others out and to actively listen with open ears. In doing so, help me to hear wisdom from the mouths of others before foolishness or a lack of discernment escapes my own mouth. When listening, I want to assume the best of others and put the best possible construction on their words and actions. And if others are providing correction or rebuking me, give me the humility to accept it. When speaking, help me to speak only the truth, and always in love. Through both my listening and my speaking, use me to edify and encourage others, to provide guidance and wisdom, and to glorify you at all times. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.