Aug
27
2012
A Prayer for Owning Our Quarrelsomeness
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife (or husband, parent, child, roommate, etc.). Prov. 21:9Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. Phil 2:14-16Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 2 Tim 2:23-24
Dear Lord Jesus, the obvious truth is, regardless of our gender, marital status or age, these Scriptures applies to all of us. None of us has the corner on being picky, complaining or nagging. Today I want to own my quarrelsomeness and to ask you to free me for far more healthy and redemptive ways of expressing disappointment, making my point, and engaging in conflict.
Jesus, when I lose sight of the real issue and simply get argumentative with my spouse, friends, kids, or even strangers, arrest my proud heart. I’m very aware that sometimes my desire to “win” an argument sabotages my commitment to love well. The result is never good.
When I fester on the inside and pester others, rather than resting in you, expose my insecure ways for what they really are: I can be way too me-centric, impatient and unyielding. My first default mode isn’t to think of others more highly than myself and to put their interests ahead of mine. But I take no joy in driving the people I love onto the corner of a roof.
Jesus, when I protest more than I pray; when I launch more than I listen; when I’m more grouchy than grace-full; when I’m more self-righteous than either right or righteous; when I repay nag for nag, petty for petty, immaturity with immaturity—convict me, forgive me, help me, change me.
Because the gospel is true, I have hope for change. Because the gospel is true, I repent. So very Amen, I pray in your kind and compassionate name.
Categories: Prayer