Foolish, Ignorant Arguments

 

 

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

 

—2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Keep me far from foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. Help me not to quarrel with others, but to be kind to everyone—even the difficult—so that You might one day use me to teach them about the things that really matter.

 

Instead of allowing myself to be drawn into meaningless arguments over things which don’t matter at all, help me to be patient and kind. Help me to make more room in my conversations for listening and seeking to understand the opinions of others.

 

Help me to build my reputation as one who is approachable and eager to hear other points of view so that when the time is right, I might have a platform from which to be heard concerning those matters that are of eternal consequence.

 

Help me be especially patient with difficult people. Help me to be ready to accept Your invitation to speak into their lives—as the Holy Spirit prepares their heart to receive the Truth of Your Word and be set free.

 

Keep me far from foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. Help me not to quarrel with others, but to be kind to everyone—even the difficult—so that You might one day use me to teach them about the things that really matter.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

A Long and Prosperous Life

 

 

Does anyone want to live a life
    that is long and prosperous?
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 

—Psalm 34:12-14 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Make every word I speak be virtuous and true, every action I take be kind and good, and create in me have a heart that searches for peace and works to maintain it, down every path You have me walk.

 

Help me not to speak evil things—words that hurt, rather than heal; words that tear down, rather than build up; words that bring despair, rather than hope.

 

And keep me from telling lies—words that deceive, rather than reveal; words that slander, rather than commend; words that omit, rather than declare the whole truth.

 

Help me to remember that while it is good for me to turn away from evil, You desire so much more of me—that to be truly obedient to You, I must also do those things that are good.

 

Help me to understand that to live in the peace You want me to enjoy, I must never stop searching for that peace and working to maintain it, through all my thoughts, words and actions.

 

Help me to do all these things, as a testimony to Your power at work in me, so that I may live long enough in this world to accomplish Your plan and purpose for me here.

 

Make every word I speak be virtuous and true, every action I take be kind and good, and create in me have a heart that searches for peace and works to maintain it, down every path You have me walk.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Be Patient with Difficult People

 

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

 

—2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Keep me far from foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. Help me not to quarrel with others, but to be kind to everyone—even the difficult—so that You might one day use me to teach them about the things that really matter.

 

Instead of allowing myself to be drawn into meaningless arguments over things which don’t matter at all, help me to be patient and kind. Help me to make more room in my conversations for listening and seeking to understand the opinions of others.

 

Help me to build my reputation as one who is approachable and eager to hear other points of view so that when the time is right, I might have a platform from which to be heard concerning those matters that are of eternal consequence.

 

Help me be especially patient with difficult people. Help me to be ready to accept Your invitation to speak into their lives—as the Holy Spirit prepares their heart to receive the Truth of Your Word and be set free.

 

Keep me far from foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. Help me not to quarrel with others, but to be kind to everyone—even the difficult—so that You might one day use me to teach them about the things that really matter.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

A Long and Prosperous Life

 

Does anyone want to live a life
    that is long and prosperous?
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 

—Psalm 34:12-14 (NLT)

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Let every word I speak be virtuous and true, let every action I take be kind and good, and let me have a heart that searches for peace and works to maintain it, down every path You have me walk.

 

Help me not to speak evil things—words that hurt, rather than heal; words that tear down, rather than build up; words that bring despair, rather than hope.

 

And keep me from telling lies—words that deceive, rather than reveal; words that slander, rather than commend; words that omit, rather than declare the whole truth.

 

Help me to remember that while it is good for me to turn away from evil, You desire so much more of me—that to be truly obedient to You, I must also do those things that are good.

 

Help me to understand that in order for me to live in the peace You want me to enjoy, I must never stop searching for that peace and working to maintain it, through all of my thoughts, words and actions.

 

Help me to do all these things, as a testimony to Your power at work in me, so that I may live long enough in this world to accomplish Your plan and purpose for me here, before I join You there for eternity.

 

Let every word I speak be virtuous and true, let every action I take be kind and good, and let me have a heart that searches for peace and works to maintain it, down every path You have me walk.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

To Be a Servant of the Lord

 

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

—2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

Keep me far from foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.  Help me not to quarrel with others, but to be kind to everyone—even the difficult—so that You might one day use me to teach them about the things that really matter.

Instead of allowing myself to be drawn into meaningless arguments over things which—in the light of eternity—don’t matter at all, help me to be patient and kind, allowing more room in my conversations for listening and seeking to understand the opinions of others.

Help me to build my reputation as one who is approachable and eager to hear other points of view—so that, when the time is right, I might have a platform from which to be heard, as I share the Truth of Your Word on those matters that are of eternal consequence.

Help me be especially patient with difficult people, so that I will be prepared to accept Your invitation to speak into their lives—should You choose to move on them by Your Spirit and soften their hearts—so they can receive the Truth, apply it to their lives, and be set free.

Keep me far from foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.  Help me not to quarrel with others, but to be kind to everyone—even the difficult—so that You might one day use me to teach them about the things that really matter.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Live a Long and Prosperous Life

 

Does anyone want to live a life
    that is long and prosperous?
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

—Psalm 34:12-14 (NLT)

 

Heavenly Father,

Let every word I speak be virtuous and true, let every action I take be kind and good, and let me have a heart that searches for peace and works to maintain it, down every path You have me walk.

Help me not to speak evil things—words that hurt, rather than heal; words that tear down, rather than build up; words that bring despair, rather than hope.

And keep me from telling lies—words that deceive, rather than reveal; words that slander, rather than commend; words that omit, rather than declare the whole truth.

Help me to remember that while it is good for me to turn away from evil, You desire so much more of me—that to be truly obedient to You, I must also do those things that are good.

Help me to understand that in order for me to live in the peace that You want me to enjoy, I must never stop searching for that peace and working to maintain it, through all of my thoughts, words and actions.

Help me to do all these things, as a testimony to Your power at work in me, so that I may live long enough in this world to accomplish Your plan and purpose for me here, before I join You there for eternity.

Let every word I speak be virtuous and true, let every action I take be kind and good, and let me have a heart that searches for peace and works to maintain it, down every path You have me walk.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.