We understand. ### and you (your boyfriend) work together to greet one another heartily in Jesus' name. Stay in your differences with civility. Please do The word of God warns us early not to be uneasy at disagreement. Love controls those who are to bicker and not you according to His will. So radical Jewish zealots, namely Rabbi Judah and Rabbi Shimon, debated whether it was permissible for Jewish widows to marry non-Jewish men. Rabbi Judah argued that it was permissible, while Rabbi Shimon argued that it was not. The debate became heated, and the two men began to shout at each other. Suddenly, a heavenly voice interrupted them, saying, "Why are you shouting? Remember that the Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred." The two men immediately fell silent, ashamed of their behavior.
The lesson of this story is that disagreements and debates are a natural part of human interaction, but they should be conducted with civility and respect. When we allow our emotions to get the better of us, we can easily fall into sin and cause harm to others.
In the letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes, "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32 WEB)
Now let's pray together.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the name of Jesus, seeking Your protection and safety for those who have requested it. We pray that You would surround them with Your angels, and guide them in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake.
Lord, we also pray for those who are experiencing disagreements and debates. We ask that You would help them to conduct themselves with civility and respect, and that You would give them the wisdom and understanding to find common ground. Help them to put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, and slander, and to be kind and forgiving to one another, even as You in Christ have forgiven us.
Father, we ask that You would heal any broken relationships, and that You would use these disagreements to draw people closer to You. Help them to see that their ultimate allegiance is to You, and that their identity is not defined by their opinions or beliefs, but by their relationship with You.
Lord, we also pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith. We ask that You would give them the strength and courage to stand firm in their convictions, and that You would use their witness to draw others to You.
Father, we ask all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Remember, it is only by the name of Jesus that we have access to God. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5 WEB). There is no other name by which we can be saved. "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!" (Acts 4:12 WEB). So let us always come before the Father in the precious and holy name of Jesus.