DECEMBER "prayer-starters" DAY 2

The wisdom that comes to us from the heart of God will listen to what others have to say. Many people have the need for someone to listen to them, without arguing with them. I sat and listened one night to a young man talk and talk, much of it making no sense at all. After some hours of listening, without ever trying to interrupt him to persuade him to think differently, he suddenly stopped and asked me to tell him how he could be saved. Listening was the wisest thing I could do.

There is also the matter of listening to someone who has an idea different from my own. It may be no more than trying to decide what to eat for supper, or where to plant a tree. As far as the Kingdom of God is concerned, most of the time the things we argue about just don’t matter that much at all.

James 3:17—But the wisdom that is from above is...easy to be entreated (it’s compliant, willing to yield)...

James 1:19—Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

LORD, help us add kindness to wisdom. Too often we are hard and unyielding toward others when what they need is love and compassion. Work it into us to become kinder toward those who oppose us. Let them see You working in us. Help the people of our fellowship be kind to strangers. Show us how to love people who are of a different belief without giving up our own values that we hold dear.

Becoming Fruitful in the Knowledge of the Lord—II Peter 1:5-8