Monday - The Letter of James (James 1:19-20)
Welcome to Daily Prayer.
This week, we are continuing our journey as a church body through the Book of James. We are in Chapter 1, verses 19 through 27. May the Lord unify us today as we dig deeper into James 1.
As we begin, let's pause to connect our hearts with Jesus and bring our minds into this present moment of prayer with Him.
Lord Jesus, I love you. There is no one like you, Lord. Help me right now to be with you, to hear from you, to be changed by you. Let me listen, absorb, and pray your word today with your perspective.
A scripture reading from 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."
A prayer of confession:
Lord Jesus, thank You for your Word. I confess that I do not know how to be quick to listen and slow to speak, Lord. Most of the time, my flesh wants to be the first to speak. I don't listen. I want to insert my thoughts. I view my opinions as more important than others.
Lord, I so often give in to anger. I respond in ways that are not how I want to respond. Harsh words come out of my mouth. Judgmental thoughts flood my mind and heart.
Holy Spirit, I need you. I am desperate for you to change me. Cleanse me. Touch my lips today. Touch my ears. Touch my mind. Make me into a person who is quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
I confess today and agree with your Word that my anger does not produce your righteousness. You alone make me righteous, Jesus. Forgive me. I repent. I want to walk in your ways.
A prayer of intercession:
Lord, it often feels like giving in to anger will make us feel better, but it never does. It tears us away from relationships. It produces bitterness and resentment.
We lift up those in our body who are living in broken and painful relationships because of the result of anger. Jesus, soften hard hearts today. Heal hurt places. Restore relationships that feel impossible to save.
We pray together today in unity against the fruit of anger, and welcome the fruit of being quick to listen and slow to speak. Make us a people that listen like you do, Lord. Release forgiveness into homes and families that feel stuck. Humble us as your body today, Father.
A moment of reflection:
Lord, will you show me if there is an area of my life or a relationship where I need to practice being slow to speak and quicker to listen?
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."
And now, our weekly memory verse: James 1:22.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
A closing prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me to stop when I feel anger rising in me today. Give me strategies in my daily routine to help me stay in step with your fruit of gentleness and kindness. Help me to practice today being quick to listen. Give me others to stay accountable with in resisting anger and submitting to your righteousness. I love you, Jesus. Amen.
Daily Prayer written and recorded by Drew and Kate Krenkle
Scripture memory recording by Aliyah Krenkle and Joel Reeves