Webster’s dictionary describes civility as polite, reasonable, and respectful behavior. Sometimes in our daily lives we lose track of what it means to be nice. We forget how a simple “please” and “thank-you” can make a request more palatable. We value our time and our needs more than we respect the time of others. I think of civil as being personal rather than more corporate, criminal, or demanding. How many times have we said or heard someone say, “let’s all be civil and discuss this issue.”
My prayer is that civility is just the starting point for how we interact with each other.
Dear Lord, when the best that we can manage is civility, Help us to respond with polite and respectful words and actions in times of stress.
Dear Lord, when the best that we can manage is civility, Help us to understand all the viewpoints and be reasonable when we want to be difficult.
Dear Lord, when the best that we can manage is civility, Help us to act in your ways of truth and kindness and not those of retribution and anger.
Dear Lord, when the best that we can manage is civility, Soften our hearts so that we act with love, compassion, respect and sharing of your grace. Amen.
By Jackie Meeks