He asked about the exact time the star first appeared

He praised their insight and sent them away

Ask directly and truthfully, without trying to steer the outcome

Keep your reason hidden so the other person cannot push back

Press the person hard until they give the answer you want

Wait for a better moment mainly so you can gain an advantage

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I need your mercy. Forgive me for the ways I hide, manipulate, and try to control what belongs to you. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and receive you as my Lord. Lead me in truth and make my life honest before you. Amen.

Receive the Lord of Truth

Lord, revive your church from hidden agendas and careless speech. Make us a people who seek truth openly, ask honest questions, and refuse to use pressure or secrecy to control others. Give us clean motives and brave integrity, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Clean Hands, Open Hearts

Pray by naming one situation where you need to know the truth. Ask God for courage to ask directly, patience to listen carefully, and freedom from the urge to manage the answer.

Ask Directly and Listen Well

Bring these to God: any habit of keeping things hidden to gain advantage; any tendency to pressure people instead of listening; any fear that makes honesty feel costly.

Turning From Secrecy

Father, give me wisdom to ask the right question at the right time. Keep me from using information to control others, and teach me to seek what is true with a clean heart, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Wisdom for Honest Inquiry

Pray for leaders, parents, teachers, and all who carry responsibility: that they would seek truth openly, speak plainly, and resist the pull of secrecy when honesty is needed.

For Leaders Who Seek Truth

Τότε{TO-te###TOH-teh###Then} Ἡρῴδης{hee-RO-dees###hee-ROH-dees###Herod} λάθρᾳ{LA-thra###LAH-thrah###secretly} καλέσας{ka-LE-sas###kah-LEH-sahs###having summoned} τοὺς{TOOS###TOOS###the} μάγους{MA-goos###MAH-goos###magi} ἠκρίβωσεν{ee-KREE-vo-sen###ee-KREE-voh-sehn###he ascertained} παρʼ{par###pahr###from} αὐτῶν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###them} τὸν{TON###TOHN###the} χρόνον{KHRO-non###KHROH-nohn###time of} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###the} φαινομένου{fe-no-ME-noo###feh-noh-MEH-noo###appearing} ἀστέρος,{a-STE-ros###ah-STEH-rohs###star}

Matthew 2:7 — Audio GuideTAB

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