Prayers for a Grateful HeartNäide

Father,

Today, I’m especially grateful for the correcting and challenging words gently spoken by friends and family and delivered with care and concern for me. Thank you for giving me people I trust because they have proven they have my best interests in mind. They challenge me to live out my love, honor, and respect for you so others can see the reality of how it changes me and impacts them.

Thank you that these loved ones consistently speak thoughtfully and with respect, challenging me with kind words, explaining any problems they have with things they see me doing and saying—things that are disrespectful to you or unkind to others. The thing is that sometimes, I don’t even realize the impact of what I’ve said or done.

Thank you for giving these dear ones the wisdom and respect to speak with me privately so I’m not embarrassed in front of others. Thank you for helping them choose their words carefully. I’m so grateful for their friendship and care. I pray that I may be as much of a blessing in their lives as they are in mine.

From a wise mind comes wise speech;

the words of the wise are persuasive.

Kind words are like honey—

sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 16:23–24