A Great Way to Manage Conflict Peacefully

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Do you feel like there’s an intentional effort to cause conflict in families, between friends and neighbors, political parties, races, and even genders?

If so, I have a question for you…

How do you manage conflict?

Some people seem to thrive on it and others want to avoid it completely. It can come out of nowhere and grab us, or simmer inside until we boil over.

Conflict shouldn’t surprise us. It has been around forever.

The Spirit inspired Solomon to write…

People with understanding control their anger;
    a hot temper shows great foolishness.

Proverbs 14:29

A gentle answer deflects anger,
    but harsh words make tempers flare.

Proverbs 15:1

A hot-tempered person starts fights;
    a cool-tempered person stops them.

Proverbs 15:18

But we are sinful by nature, the only way to control our anger, speak gently, and remain “cool-tempered” is with the Spirit’s help.

So, today we’re praying and asking the Lord to give us patience and strength and help us manage conflict peacefully…

A Prayer to Manage Conflict Peacefully

God blesses those who work for peace,
    for they will be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

Father, You want Your children to love one another and live in peace. I remember how much it would hurt my heart when my children fought with each other. As much as I tried to guide them to manage conflict well … they still let frustration and anger take over.

It’s the same with Your children individually, and collectively. The enemy uses our differences, strong opinions, and selfish attitudes to upset and divide us. Please forgive us. Please forgive me.

Fill me with Your Spirit and help me work for peace as Your Word directs. Help me listen with respect and speak the truth with kindness. And help me remember that working for peace is a responsibility of the “children of God.” Amen.

 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

James 1:19–20

Oh, Father, we fail to listen carefully and often speak too quickly because we want to win the argument rather than produce righteousness. Please give me a patient caring heart that strives for understanding.

We can agree to disagree on the details You have not expressed clearly in Your Word remembering that we are all saved by Your grace alone. Divisiveness never changes hearts. So, I ask that You will help us manage conflict with Your love … gently sharing Your truth and trusting Your ability to change hearts, minds, and lives. Amen.

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:17–18

Father God, the enemy of our souls works overtime trying to convince us that revenge is justifiable. But You tell us to forgive as You forgive. You instruct us to love like Jesus, who gave up everything to save sinners, like me.

You want us to replace retribution with forgiveness and love. You want the world to see You in us. Please help us listen to Your quiet voice when culture screams for vengeance. And when I need to manage conflict, help me come to You in prayer first surrendering myself to Your perfect will. Amen.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31–32

Heavenly Father, when we rely on our human nature, we are prone to bitterness, rage, anger, etc. Most of us are not inclined to lead with kindness and compassion first. We need Your help. I need Your help.

Please cleanse my heart of all bitterness and bad attitudes. Bless me with the wisdom to control what I say and speak only words of compassion and healing … words that build up not tear down. Help me remember that You are God. I am not. I am here to trust and obey in love. Amen.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 

1 Corinthians 13:4–5

Father, You are patient and kind. Although You want us to live with Godly wisdom, You give us the freedom to be divisive and foolish. Please forgive our selfish pride and for demanding our own way. Please forgive me.

I want to be so full of Your love that it pours onto the people around me. And when I’m required to manage conflict I ask You to guide me according to Your will. Help me model Jesus who managed conflict with Your truth. In His name, I pray. Amen.

Managing conflict with compassion, forgiveness, and love … does not mean being a doormat or that every situation will end with a united front.

What it does mean, is that as far as we are able … we will do our best to KNOW, TRUST, and OBEY God’s will. We will be slow to anger and work for peace. We will check our attitude and take the time to choose our words and actions carefully.

I don’t know about you but I need God’s help and prayer to help me do all I can to let the world see God’s power and love and work in me by His grace and for His glory.

May He help us all to love like Jesus.

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