A Prayer About Conflict

When I disagree with someone or someone disagrees with me

SOVEREIGN LORD,

I tend to be a conflict avoider. But that leads to superficial conversations and shallow relationships. At times, I have allowed friends and others to make light of my strongly held beliefs. Today I was silent when I should have said something in response to an outrageous statement. I withdrew when I should have engaged because I knew what would transpire—one word leading to another and then anger or awkward silence. I know conflict is part of life: people will disagree and argue—all relationships have those moments. I also confess, however, that in a confrontation when I am the one being confronted, I often shut out the other person, becoming defensive and responding irrationally. I pray for vulnerability, Lord, to be open when a loved one speaks truth to me. I also pray for wisdom, Father, to know when to join the fray and when to back off, to know what to say and how to say it. Help me to state my case, to speak the truth with love, to disagree without being disagreeable.

Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. Proverbs 13:10