A Prayer about Friendly Wounding
Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Prov. 27:5–6)
Merciful Jesus, I need courage today for loving in sticky, broken, messy relation- ships. Sometimes the fear of making an even bigger mess makes it easier just to ignore certain people and issues. But that’s kind of like trying to avoid a broken bone or cancer. The matter will only get worse. To say I’m conflict avoidant is a confession of sin but not an excuse.
Thank you for the stark frankness of your Word. When I multiply kisses but with hold life giving rebukes from my friends, I’m living as their enemy. When I’m not willing to offer a redemptive wounding, I’m a bad friend, not just too busy of a man. Have mercy on me, Jesus. Grant me the grace, words, and courage that I need.
I bring to you my fear of man, which I know to be a snare. I confess it as sin and repent. I also acknowledge that I need the power of the gospel for change. It’s because you clearly revealed my need of your grace that I now rest in your love. It’s because of your open rebuke that my life is now hidden safely in you. It’s because you cared enough to confront me that I will eternally enjoy your comfort.
Jesus, you took the ultimate unfriendly wounding of sin and evil on the cross that I might know your kisses to be those of a Savior-Bridegroom. Help me now, I pray, with the resources of your great love, to love well in the very situations that I dread. I pray in your compassionate name.
Amen.