Dear Lord,
When it comes to an offense, help me to have good sense. Give me wisdom to overlook it or even to break through it. But if the offense continues or builds, help me to keep my emotions in check so that anger does not rule my life, not even for a day. Friends, family members, my marriage, opportunities, and my job could be lost if I lose this battle.
Help me to keep the devil, that slanderous accuser, at bay so that he does not have a chance to use anger to manipulate me.
If things get to a point where I do need to react, help me to react in love. If another believer sins against me, lead me to go privately to that person and point out how they hurt me. If they listen and respond with understanding, I will still have my friend.
But if the meeting is unsuccessful, give me the courage and the wisdom to select a wise friend or two to return and discuss the matter with my offending friend.
If my friend still refuses to listen, be with me as I take the matter to the church. If this meeting fails to bring resolution, then allow me to walk away from the relationship.
Give me wisdom and love so that I can hear Your heart, especially if this is nothing more than a misunderstanding, confusion, or even a lie from the enemy. May Your love direct me to reconciliation.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
A person with good sense is patient,
and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 GW
But don’t let the passion of your emotions lead you to sin! Don’t let anger control you or be fuel for revenge, not for even a day. Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you!
Ephesians 4:26–27 TPT
If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
Matthew 18:15–17 NLT