“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” – James 3:17 (NIV)
Our Father in Heaven,
You said in Your Word that if I lack wisdom I should ask You for it, and You will give it generously. Well, I need Your wisdom, Lord. Send me the Holy Spirit as my Counselor, and add Your truth, Your people, and Your power to help me make wise decisions, so I speak and act with wisdom. I need to be:
Pure
Root out my impure thoughts and motives and replace them, Lord with Your truth, with holiness, integrity. I want to hear your voice and know the power of a clear conscience. To the pure You show Yourself pure.
Peace-Loving
Set in me Your aggressive, hope-filled, wholeness creating peace as I associate with You and others. Use me to pursue peace in my relationships and create opportunities for reconciliation in my community.
Considerate
You humbled yourself to come here for me Lord Jesus, put my needs before Your own comfort and glory. Strengthen me so I will put others needs before my own, revealing Your character in word and deed.
Willing to Yield
Break my tendency to think my way is best and grant me Your grace to see the sin of my self-importance more quickly. Instead help me yield my interests and pursue the best things for Your Kingdom’s sake.
Full of Mercy
Father, I have freely received Your mercy. Give me the courage to extend mercy to those who have hurt me and to forgive them. For my relationships, for one another, grant mercy to each other to build unity in Jesus’ name.
Full of Good Fruit
Lord, I declare that You desire to fill me up with good, so that what is produced in and through my life will reveal Your goodness. I pray the fruit of my life will bring in Your Kingdom and add to Your glory.
Impartial
Your Word says that you do not favor one person over another. I declare now that I will treat everyone with dignity as Your image bearers. I will pursue objectivity regarding Your will and Your way for me and others.
Sincere
Remove from me the tendency to cover my defects so I look good to You and others. Help me to be real, humble, accountable, genuine, and authentic; strengthen me so I will be like Jesus, mature and complete.
Through the name of the One who has been made wisdom unto us, Jesus Christ, Amen.
