Let the righteous one strike me — it is an act of faithful love; let him rebuke me — it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it.
Psalm 141:5 (CSB)
Father God, surround me today and everyday by people who love me enough to tell me the truth, especially when it hurts. I know that I would prefer sugar-coated words and niceties. However, I also know that living in that space is not good for me. Even as sugar can decay and rot my teeth, a regular dose of sweetness sprinkled on hard truth can decay and rot my character. I know that I am not perfect. I know that I make mistakes – a lot of mistakes. I know that there are areas where I need to grow in You in my relationships with others. And I know that I sometimes (maybe even all the time) have a spirit of “can’t get right.” And I always need to see and hear how I must be more like Jesus.
So please raise up around me folks who love me enough to tell me what I need to hear not just what I want to hear. Give them the courage to have the tough conversations with me, and the trust and faith in You that You will cause their seeds of correction to grow into trees of life.
And at the same time give me a receptive spirit, one that embraces and does not refuse the rod of correction that You are delivering to me through the loving hearts of others. Let me not refuse it but instead embrace it. Give me eyes of compassion that I might look past the hurt they deliver and the imperfections in their delivery. Help me to see it as an act of faithful love and embrace it in the selfsame love, knowing that You are using them to discipline in Your love.
And Father, should You decide that the tables should be turned and that should be the messenger, give me that selfsame heart and obedience that I am asking You to give to others, that I might love them enough that I am willing to lose their relationship on Earth in order that we might together praise and glorify You together in eternity, blessed by the contributions we made in each others lives to Christ’s glory. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.