Tag: talk

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For the Confidence to Have the Difficult Conversation

Dear Jesus,
Today I pray for the courage to finally have a difficult conversation I’ve been avoiding for too long. I’ve played out how the conversation could go so many times in my mind, and I’ve allowed my fear of the possible outcome to paralyze and prevent me from actually initiating it. I know avoiding it is not the solution; it only prolongs the burdensome weight of unnecessarily carrying the extra emotional baggage around. Give me a spirit of self-discipline to lay out the steps necessary to finally have this conversation, and the humble confidence to patiently, lovingly carry it out. Guide me to trust you to provide the words I need, give me grace in speaking them, and grant that what I say is heard and received in a healthy way and with understanding. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Have the Tough Conversations

Holy Spirit,
Prompt me to have the difficult conversations. In an effort to avoid conflict or raise tensions, I so easily believe the lie that I’m better off steering away from tough talks with others. No matter how much I try to convince myself that an issue or concern will simply take care of itself eventually, the reality more often is that putting off talking about it only makes it worse. Give me the desire to be more assertive and insistent, not so that I would steamroll others or abrasively force conversations, but simply so that I prioritize having them. When I do, open my ears to listen first, grant me wisdom to process what I hear, and give me grace and patience to respond truthfully. Bless these difficult situations with resolution, and use them to make me a better communicator and enhance my interpersonal skills.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Be a Better Listener

Gracious Father,
Good communication involves a variety of different elements, many of which are often ignored or overlooked. In a society that celebrates things like expressing oneself, speaking up, and activism, being a good listener at times seems to be a dying art. Help me to prioritize listening to others rather than focusing on making sure that others hear me. We feel valued when someone takes the time to listen to us, and I want others to sense that when I am communicating with them.

Keep me from listening only long enough to get in the next word. Guard me from being distracted or drifting as I listen, even when the topic or matter of discussion is of little or no interest to me, because the individual does matter to me. Give me discernment to know when others need to me to listen simply because they want to be heard or when they are looking for advice or a solution. Finally, provide me with plenty of practice listening in the best way possible, by hearing you speak to me daily through your Word. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

To Speak Respectfully

Loving Savior,
How I speak to and about others matters. When I speak negatively about someone to others, I am influencing their opinions about that person’s reputation. While there may be a time and a place for this when safety concerns or dangerous risks may potentially be associated with someone, more often than not, that isn’t the case. I am either speaking carelessly or thoughtlessly without any regard for the impact my words have on someone else’s reputation. Or, I am deliberately disparaging others with malicious intent. Forgive me, for I know that if the tables were turned and I discovered others speaking similarly about me, I would not stand for it. Don’t, therefore, allow me to be involved in any way with such talk of others.

Instead, lead me to speak respectfully of others, even when I disagree with them. Let my words be positive and encouraging, always seeking to build up the reputation of others or come to their defense. The world’s words aim to tear down and divide. May my words instead heal, restore, and unify whenever and wherever possible. May my words be worthy of your name that I bear and may they always honor you.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

DAILY PRAYERS FOR GUYS

adbLeave a comment

For Grace-Filled Speech

Dear Lord,
The gift of speech comes from you. As you demonstrated at the Tower of Babel, you are more than capable of correcting us when we take your gift of speech for granted or use it to defy or oppose you. At Pentecost, you also proved that language barriers and speech itself will not keep your work from being carried out as you determine. 

Speech can be used to destroy and tear down or to defend and built up. Help me to be thoughtful in my speech, pausing first to consider whether my own motives are pure or not. Then, help me discern how my words may be received by others before I open my mouth. Remind me that my comments or responses are not always necessary, and if they aren’t constructive or beneficial, it may be best simply to leave some things unsaid.  Direct me to speak well of others and to speak kindly, and let my words be a blessing to others. Guide my speech so that it is always marked by positivity and grace.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.