If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,
who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of free and full access into your presence. As we come seeking wisdom this August Saturday, we’re kissed by your welcome, drawn to your joy, and inundated with your grace.
Cutting to the chase, Father, we need ongoing wisdom about emotions and relationships. Please teach us the difference between an appropriate investment in people’s lives, versus unhealthy entanglement and enmeshment. The gospel calls us to love others as Jesus loves us, but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what that looks like.
How do we validate what friends are feeling, without taking responsibility for their emotions, Father? It’s easy to treat others like puzzles to solve, broken things to fix, or threats to avoid. None of these smell like your kindness. Perhaps it starts with each of us becoming wiser about our own emotional makeup, and how that impacts us relationally.
For me personally, the emotion of anger has confused, triggered, and threatened me, for as long as I can remember. I avoid anger like a pool of hungry piranha. But like all emotions, anger needs to be understood, honored, and stewarded.
Father, help me know when the anger I swallow should be expressed, not digested. Help me understand the anger others are feeling, without rushing to judgment, shame, or rushing out of their story too fast. Help me get angry in the face of evil and injustice, that I might advocate for the helpless and defenseless. Help me know when my anger is just a little boy pouting, demanding his way.
Father, just praying this prayer brings comfort, peace, and hope. I have great joy knowing you will give each of us the wisdom we need. Like all things, it’s a gospel issue. Thank you for giving Jesus our grime and guilt, and giving us his righteousness and favor. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.