Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
A Morning Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We give thanks this morning for Your steadfast love and guidance. As we rise with the dawn, we ask that You illuminate our path, helping us to discern truth from falsehood and genuine friendship from false flattery.
We understand from Your word in Proverbs that “wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” We pray that You grant us the wisdom to appreciate the loving criticism of a friend, the kind that aids our growth and brings us closer to You. Give us the strength to be such friends to others, offering constructive counsel instead of empty flattery, honesty instead of deceit.
Keep our hearts open, O Lord, to Your divine wisdom, and make us receptive to the genuine love and guidance offered by our friends. Help us also to be wary of those who, under the guise of friendship, seek only their own gain.
Bless us with the ability to walk this day in love, humility and grace, always mindful of the lesson in Your word: that it is better to be challenged by those who care for us than to be deceived by the sweet words of those who do not.
We pray all these in Your holy name, Amen.