Conscience can be defined as a God-designed and God-given faculty that helps us assess what is good and bad, right and wrong. What role, then, does the conscience play in Christians’ lives? How can it help Christians grow in personal holiness, wise decision-making, and spiritual maturity?
The Austin Stone Institute asked nine writers to compose a liturgy in response to the questions, as applied to a particular area of life. Today’s writer addressed cultivating one’s conscience in relation to community.
Heavenly Father,
If a brother or sister’s convictions
Differ from mine,
Their compass pointing one way
And mine another,
Help us together discern
Whether we are being led
On different paths of Your Way,
Or if one of us has lost
True North.
Should You show us
Our dotted lines diverge
Within the boundaries You’ve mapped,
Help us honor each other
In this uncharted territory.
And if correction is needed,
Let us humbly come together
To tinker the wayward needles
Of our hearts’ compasses
Into alignment with Yours.
