A Prayer Before a Hard Conversation

Some conversations you dread for days. This is a short prayer to pray before a difficult talk, for grace and honesty and a calm heart.

Lord, I am dreading this conversation, and I bring it to you before I begin. Help me be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Guard my words so they build up rather than wound. Give me the courage to be honest and the gentleness to be kind at the same time. Soften both our hearts. Where there is misunderstanding, bring clarity; where there is hurt, make room for grace. Let me leave this talk having spoken the truth in love. Go with me into it. Amen.