Linda (not her real name) leaned forward conspiratorially over her coffee. “Hey, have you heard about Barbara?” she asked. My gossip alarm clamored wildly. I sent up an emergency prayer: Holy Spirit, guard my heart and guide my lips! It was going to be a full 90 minutes before Linda’s daughter and mine emerged from their ballet audition, and the time suddenly stretched out before me like an endless minefield.
If there’s one time I pray without ceasing, it’s in the midst of gossip. On the one hand, I don’t want to contribute to or condone negative talk; on the other I don’t want to become a victim of it. The only way I know of to navigate the danger is to pray before each and every time I open my mouth. And I mean every time. Because one little slip-up and I end up in a state of regret, knowing I’ve let Jesus down.
I hate situations where I have to be on high alert. Lately, though, I’ve realized that when I know I’m in a spiritual danger zone, I know my need of God. I turn to him constantly. This is good. In fact, any situation that knocks me to my knees in prayer is good. It may not feel good, and I may not like it, but the bottom line is that my relationship with my Lord grows deeper. And if that’s what it takes, then so be it.
