Humility, Wisdom, And Discernment

Spouting off before listening to the facts
    is both shameful and foolish.—Proverbs 18:13 (NLT)

Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
    Their ears are open for knowledge.—Proverbs 18:15 (NLT)

The first to speak in court sounds right—
    until the cross-examination begins.—Proverbs 18:17 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Grant me patience, so that I will be slow to speak; humility, so I will remain ready to learn; and wisdom, so I will be able to discern the truth—in all my relationships with others.

Keep me from foolishly standing in judgment of others, before I take the time to discover the facts—and keep me from substituting my assumptions for the truth.

I don’t want to be that guy who spouts off my opinions, before listening to the all the facts.  I want to make sound statements of truth, after I have listened well and understand.

I don’t want to be that guy who is unteachable, who thinks he knows better than anyone else.  In humility, I want to be eager to learn that which I do not know.

I don’t want to be that guy who is only interested in one side of the story.  I want to remember that each person’s experience of the same event is colored by their vantage point, and to discover truth, I must hear all sides of the story.

Help me to courageously do the hard work of gathering all the information I need, as I allow Your Spirit to lead me to make sound decisions.

Grant me patience, so that I will be slow to speak; humility, so I will remain ready to learn; and wisdom, so I will be able to discern the truth—in all my relationships with others.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Naked And Exposed

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

—Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)

Omniscient God,

Thank You that You see me as I am, and still want me!

You have created everything there is and there is not one thing that is hidden from You.  You know all there is to know about everyone, everywhere, all the time.

You know all of my thoughts, before they are even formed; sense every one of my emotions, before they ever manifest; discern and understand my every motive, better than I ever will myself; hear my every word, even before it is formed in my mouth and crosses my lips; and You see everything I do, before I even begin to do it.

All of my thoughts, words and actions lay open and exposed before You and You are the One to whom I am held accountable for them all. 

Help me to see myself as I am, so I can allow You to change me into the person I should be.

Forgive me of my sin, and help me to continue to strive to please You with everything in me—as You continue to shower me in Your mercy, grace, and love.

Thank You that You see me as I am, and still want me!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Carefully And Consistently

You have charged us
    to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
    reflect your decrees!

—Psalm 119:4-5 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

May my life in action be a consistent reflection of Your decrees applied to my heart.

You, LORD, have charged me with a great and awesome responsibility—to keep Your commandments carefully.

This means I must take the time to know Your instructions to me, by reading, studying and being taught in Your Word—the Bible.

This means I must meditate on Your Word—allowing Your Word to permeate my thoughts throughout my daily activities.

This means I must also act on the Word that has been planted in my  heart—allowing Your Spirit to control my actions—so that not only do I not do those things I shouldn’t do, but I also do those things I that I should.

Because of Your great and unending love for me, You have given me these commandments—so that as I am faithful to follow them, I can walk in the freedom, peace, protection, provision, and joy that they provide.

May my life in action be a consistent reflection of Your decrees applied to my heart.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.