9.09.2010

(Day After)Wednesday Prayers: Teachability

The reading on Tuesday's Pray-as-You-Go meditation was from 1 Corinthians-- the bit about how awful it was that they were suing each other, and wouldn't or couldn't resolve their problems within the community of believers. How might we settle our differences? One way is for each of us to be willing to consider the possibility that we're wrong. The same humility that allows us to be wrong also keeps us kind to others when we're right. My initial thoughts brought about this week's prayer.
God, show me how to be teachable. Help me to be secure enough in Your love to let go of the shame of imperfection. Remind me to see mistakes as invitations to let You show me a better way. Keep my tone with others gentle, so that it's easier for them to be open, too. Heal me from the fear and hurt of those who punished rather than taught. Grant me this freedom that I may share it with others.
What's your prayer this week? Are you wrestling with a dispute, or enjoying a time of peace? Let me know, and I'll hold you in God's light.

6 comments:

  1. I like this prayer a lot! I am not in a dispute but there is one going on at work. Lots of hurt feelings and silence in a place where there is normally laughter. It is making everyone uncomfortable...especially the bystanders. This will be my prayer today.

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  2. Mindy, I've read so much about how much affection there is in your office. I'll be holding their dispute in God's light, too.

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  3. This post is SO relevant for me this week at work, especially.

    I really love your blog. Keep up the great work!

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  4. Thank you so much. I am so lucky and blessed to be able to work in a place that is usually very happy...especially with this many women.

    I appreciate your prayers.

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  5. Thanks, Sally! I find that it's often been particularly relevant for me at work, too. It seems to be the place where there's the most conflict, and the highest likelihood of some nasty power struggles.

    And Mindy? Anytime.

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  6. student directed me to a video by Jeremy Rifkin in which he hopes for global empathy... moving beyond tribe, town, religion, nation. So how about some prayers that we can feel the suffering of the planet and respond.

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"So keep fightin' for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don't you forget to have fun doin' it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin' ass and celebratin' the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was."
-Saint Molly Ivins