They will be flogged in the synagogues and driven from town to town.

They will be placed in charge of the towns.

They will be praised publicly and given rest.

Listen humbly and respond with obedience.

Accept it only if it matches what you already prefer.

Keep your distance so you do not have to think about it.

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, you have sent warnings and calls to turn back, and I have not always listened. I admit that I have sinned and need your mercy. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and receive you as my Lord and Savior. Teach me to hear your truth, follow you, and belong to you. Amen.

Receive the One Who Sends Truth

Lord, revive your Church to welcome your word with humility. Where we have resisted correction, hardened our hearts, or treated your messengers with contempt, soften us again. Give us courage to speak truth, courage to receive truth, and courage to honor those who carry it, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Make Your Church Teachable Again

Father, forgive me for the times I have shut my ears to warning because it was uncomfortable. I confess my pride and my defensiveness. Give me a teachable heart that listens, repents, and obeys quickly, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

A Soft Heart for Hard Truth

Pray for pastors, teachers, and believers who speak God's word faithfully: that God would give them courage, protect them from hostility, and make their words clear and loving even when they are resisted.

For Those Who Speak God's Word

Begin by naming one hard correction or warning you have been avoiding. Ask God to help you hear it without defensiveness, then ask for one obedient step to take after you hear it.

Praying to Hear Before You React

Thank God for sending people who tell the truth instead of flattering us. Thank him for Scripture that corrects, for wise counsel that protects, and for the grace to be warned before we wander further.

Thank God for Warning Voices

διὰ{di-A###dee-AH###because of} τοῦτο{TOO-to###TOO-toh###this} ἰδοὺ{i-DOO###ee-DOO###behold} ἐγὼ{e-GO###eh-GOH###I} ἀποστέλλω{a-po-STEL-lo###ah-poh-STEHL-loh###(I) send} πρὸς{PROS###PROHS###to} ὑμᾶς{hee-MAS###hee-MAHS###you} προφήτας{pro-FEE-tas###proh-FEE-tahs###prophets} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} σοφοὺς{so-FOOS###soh-FOOS###wise men} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} γραμματεῖς·{gram-ma-TEES###grahm-mah-TEES###scribes} ⸀ἐξ{eks###ehks###from} αὐτῶν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###them} ἀποκτενεῖτε{a-pok-te-NEE-te###ah-pohk-teh-NEE-teh###you will kill} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} σταυρώσετε,{stav-RO-se-te###stahv-ROH-seh-teh###you will crucify} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἐξ{eks###ehks###from} αὐτῶν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###them} μαστιγώσετε{ma-sti-GO-se-te###mah-stee-GOH-seh-teh###you will flog} ἐν{en###ehn###in} ταῖς{TES###TEHS###the} συναγωγαῖς{see-na-go-GES###see-na-goh-GEHS###synagogues} ὑμῶν{hee-MON###hee-MOHN###of you} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} διώξετε{di-OK-se-te###dee-OHK-seh-teh###you will persecute} ἀπὸ{a-PO###ah-POH###from} πόλεως{PO-le-os###POH-leh-ohs###city} εἰς{ees###ees###to} πόλιν·{PO-lin###POH-lin###city}

Matthew 23:34 — Audio GuideTAB

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