Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul. [Psalm 139:23&24; Psalms 143:8]
Holy Spirit help me to follow the admonishment that Paul gave to Timothy long ago: “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” [2 Timothy 2:21-26] Help me to be useful, prepared for every good work, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with a pure heart so that I can intentionally avoid foolish and ignorant disputes because I know they only cause stress and strife. Help me to be gentle when I am able, teach, be patient, and in humility show brothers and sisters when they are in opposition to Your will, word, and wisdom. Help me to understand the delicacy and purpose of doing so, that way I will do my best to correct but not to hurt or offend.
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But I must continue in the things which I have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom I have learned from, for I have learned from Your Holy Word since I was a child which leads to the wisdom of salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. I understand that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” [2 Timothy 3:12-16] I praise You for allowing me to learn about You through Your word since I was a child until now as an elder man. Help me to not only cherish Your word but to live it, consume it, breathe it daily, and allow Your Spirit to bless my Spirit with wisdom and knowledge so that I may walk with integrity and faith for the rest of my life. Amen.