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.

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.

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.

 

Being Kind to Everyone, Able to Teach, and Patient with the Difficult

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.

To Grow into a Full Experience of Salvation

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.  Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.  Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

—1 Peter 2:1-3 (NLT)

Father God,

Make me like a hungry newborn baby who—having tasted that which is good—cries for more nourishment!  Let me always crave the life-giving, spiritual milk I find in Your Word, so I can grow into a full experience of the sweet salvation that You have provided for us all, in Christ.

Save me from any trace of wickedness and every desire there may be within me to cause pain, injury, or distress to others—that I might learn to be kind.

Save me from any tendency to try to deceive others—so that my true intentions will always be understood and my actions will always reflect my words.

Save me from each temptation that comes to entice me to pretend to be someone who I am not.  And help me to be—vulnerably and sincerely—just who I am, just who You created me to be.

Save me from any envy for, or resentment toward, the blessings I see in the lives of others—so I might be content and secure in Your generous blessing upon my own life.

Save me from ever using my words to slander another person's reputation, or to hurt or offend others—so that every word I speak would be kind, and honor You.

Make me like a hungry newborn baby who—having tasted that which is good—cries for more nourishment!  Let me always crave the life-giving, spiritual milk I find in Your Word, so I can grow into a full experience of the sweet salvation that You have provided for us all, in Christ.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.