Ask a fair question first and be ready to answer honestly if the other person is honest too

Avoid the conversation until the pressure disappears

Answer at once with the strongest argument you know

Refuse to speak unless you already control the outcome

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and tried to live by my own authority. I turn from my sin and ask you to forgive me. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord, and I trust you to lead my life with your wisdom and truth. Amen.

Come to Jesus

Lord, renew your Church so we do not panic, posture, or dodge when we are questioned. Give us wisdom to ask good questions, courage to tell the truth, and humility to speak with grace. Make us a people who point others to your authority, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Renew Your Church's Wise Witness

Name the hard conversation, ask God for a calm question to ask first, and ask for the right words to say if the other person responds honestly.

Pray Before You Answer

Bring to God any desire to win arguments, the fear that makes you defensive, and the places where you need to answer more honestly than quickly.

Leave Room for Truth

Lord, thank you that your authority is steady and that your wisdom is not shaken by pressure. Thank you for teaching me patience, truth, and courage in hard conversations. Help me trust your way more than my need to win, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You for Steady Authority

Father, I pray for teachers, parents, leaders, and friends who are facing difficult questions today. Give them clear minds, gentle words, and the grace to answer with honesty and peace. Let your wisdom guide every reply, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Help Those in Hard Conversations

ἀποκριθεὶς{a-po-kri-THEES###ah-poh-kree-THEES###Answering} δὲ{DE###DEH###and} ὁ{HO###HOH###(the)} Ἰησοῦς{ee-ee-SOOS###ee-ee-SOOS###Jesus} εἶπεν{EE-pen###EE-pehn###(He) said} αὐτοῖς·{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###to them} Ἐρωτήσω{e-ro-TEE-so###eh-roh-TEE-soh###I will ask} ὑμᾶς{hee-MAS###hee-MAHS###you} κἀγὼ{ka-GO###kah-GOH###I also} λόγον{LO-gon###LOH-gohn###question} ἕνα,{HE-na###HEH-nah###one} ὃν{HON###HOHN###which} ἐὰν{e-AN###eh-AHN###if} εἴπητέ{EE-pee-TE###EE-pee-TEH###you tell} μοι{mee###mee###to me} κἀγὼ{ka-GO###kah-GOH###I also} ὑμῖν{hee-MEEN###hee-MEEN###to you} ἐρῶ{e-RO###eh-ROH###I will tell} ἐν{en###ehn###by} ποίᾳ{PEE-a###PEE-ah###what} ἐξουσίᾳ{ek-soo-SEE-a###ehk-soo-SEE-ah###authority} ταῦτα{TAF-ta###TAHF-tah###these things} ποιῶ·{pee-O###pee-OH###I do}

Matthew 21:24 — LiteralTAB

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