A Prayer: May I Be Quick to Listen & Slow to Speak

Lord, relieve my fear today of not being heard. Of not being noticed. Of not getting my way or of being in control of every conversation.

Help me to not answer before I hear. To not barge into someone’s conversation. To not roll over the pleas of one in need or shrilly insist over the whisper of a breaking heart. If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. (Prov 18:13)

Jesus help me to sit quietly in the presence of others as I sit quietly in Yours. To mediate the gift of your love and peace.

Holy spirit only You know everything. I do not. Humble me. Tear down this scaffold of self-illusion and fantasy that supports the original lie.

Let me always consult with You before a word would escape my mouth. A hasty word, a mean word, a hopeless word.

Let me examine and understand every emotion that fuels my thoughtless words. The Holy Spirit bridled my tongue in anticipation of it bolting … extinguish the spark before igniting the flame. Train my will to leash every uncomfortable emotion before its vicious bark.

Great Navigator, take the helm of my heart, sail these uncomfortable and unruly emotions that swell over the bow of my life; shame, anger, loss, sadness, boredom, lust and fear. Keep me from their deadly shoals. Captain of my soul steer me home to a safe and pleasant harbor to rest by the consoling hearth of Your love.

—Unknown