Waiting For You To Answer

But I am deaf to all their threats.
    I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.

I choose to hear nothing,
    and I make no reply.

For I am waiting for you, O LORD.
    You must answer for me, O Lord my God.

—Psalm 38:13-15 (NLT)

O Lord my God,

When I feel threatened by others, when they offend me, or I am falsely accused, help me not to be provoked into sin, but help me keep control of my mind, will and emotions—so that I might please You, as I look to You in faith to answer for me.

Make me as if I were deaf to all the threats of others, as You remind me who I am in Christ—as You remind me that You have called me Your dearly loved child and that You have carefully and uniquely crafted who I am, according to Your perfect plans and purposes for me, that I might bring You glory.

By Your mercy and grace, let my mouth remain closed and my heart remain at peace—as if I cannot speak at all—unless Your words fill my mouth with truth and grace…and love requires that they be spoken.

Help me to choose not to hear their unjustified attacks against me, knowing that their accusations are not about me, but come from the brokenness of their own hearts—that they are born out of their own hurts and not out of their hatred for me.

Help me to make no reply on my own, but wait for You, trusting You to answer and set all things right, according to Your perfect timing and purpose—as I remain surrendered and submitted to Your will for my life.

When I feel threatened by others, when they offend me, or I am falsely accused, help me not to be provoked into sin, but help me keep control of my mind, will and emotions—so that I might please You, as I look to You in faith to answer for me.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.