We have all become familiar with testing ourselves since we now live with the reality of the COVID virus. When we go through the process and wait for the results, we are hoping and praying that we will test negative. This is a confirmation that we are free to interact with others as usual and that we will not endanger their well being. I have been thinking about how it would be if we could also test ourselves to determine whether our attitudes are negative or positive. In this instance, the goal is not a negative result, but rather a positive one. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live our lives in ways that make the loving Presence of Christ real for those around us. This will not happen if we stay stuck in a place of negative attitudes and negative words. We need to examine carefully our thoughts and words expressed to test if they are positive and life giving. In Scripture, we receive the instruction, “Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29) We can be well aware in our world today of what happens when people choose to tear others down instead of building others up according to their needs. Our prayer time this week will focus on asking God to enable us to have positive and loving attitudes in our hearts that get expressed in our words. When we choose words that will build up another person, we are demonstrating the love of Jesus and this can make a profound difference for the person to whom we speak those positive words. Please plan to pray with us for our WEDNESDAY PRAYER TOGETHER tomorrow November 1st at 1 pm.
Praying for our words to build others up, Pastor Lola
Our God Who is consistently loving and gracious with us, please make us more like You. We receive from You words of love and compassion. We are assured of Your deep care for us. Thank You God that You do want to build us up according to our needs. Thank You that what You say benefits us. Please help each of us to examine carefully our thoughts and attitudes. When we determine that our thoughts are negative and will not result in building others up, we ask You to do Your work to transform us. We thank You for people in our lives who encourage and build us up. This reminds us of what can happen when positive words are spoken. We do not want to underestimate the influence of the words that we speak. Our attitudes matter and we pray that you will remind us of this. How different our world would be if people made it their goal to build others up. We wonder what has happened in the hearts of people that there is so much tearing down. We see lives being destroyed by words and actions that take life instead of enhancing life. This happens in our homes, in our communities, in our country and in our world. Oh God, please reveal to us what we can do every day to build others up. May it be that we gain a reputation for speaking what is positive and helpful. And where we need to speak words that confront what is wrong, please give us courage to do this. We long for the words that we speak to benefit others. For the times that we do not know the impact of our words for good, we trust You God to arrange that. For the times that our words seem inadequate to lift up and support, we ask You to work out how people receive our words for good. Today we are praying that our carefully selected words will communicate love and acceptance for others. We pray that those who hear our words will find courage and hope for the living of their lives. Please guide the words we speak to bring hope when people are doubting if there is any hope to be found. Thank You God that we can expect You to give us words that will bless others and build them up. For words we have spoken that have been negative and have not built others up, we ask Your forgiveness. Thank You God that today is a new day and You can give us the grace to think, speak, and live differently. Ultimately, we pray that the words that we speak will draw people to You and Your infinite love for them. Encountering the reality of Your devoted love for each of us is what will build us up so we pray for this to happen in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Please Note:
Bible Study & Prayer in November begins tomorrow Wednesday November 1st at 10 am at Springford Baptist Church. For the next 4 weeks, we will be exploring a “LIVING FAITH” as we look together at Hebrews 11. We will also be committing our personal concerns and the concerns of our world to God in prayer. Please plan to join us.