June 12, 2024 - James 1:19-20

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” James 1:19-20 NLT

Lord, help us to fully understand this; understand it to the point that we live it out. Being quick to listen can be such a challenging task. We can be so full of our own opinions that it can be hard to hold our tongue and actually listen to others. Sometimes all people need is someone who truly listens without offering opinions. Make us people who know how to listen. Not only listen to what people say, but also listen to what you are saying so that we know how to respond correctly.

Lord, if we are upset or angry about something, it gets even harder to really listen and not be quick to speak. Oh, how we ask that you, Holy Spirit, would help us grow to be better at this. Help us hold our tongues. When we are angry, help us learn how to take the time to think through our actions and respond in a way that doesn’t bring pain to others or throw “gasoline on the fire”. Lord, we want to be known as people of righteousness. Show us how to walk in righteousness, even when we have a “right” to be angry.

We also ask that in our relationship with you that you would help us learn to be quick to listen. We don’t want to come to you all the time with our requests. It is easy to come to you and always do all the talking and never really stop and listen. Remind us to make a habit of being still before you and listening to what you have to say. It will be much more valuable than our words. We praise you for your wonderful words that you long to speak to us.

In Jesus name, amen.