Looking to be more open-minded but are afraid of what that might mean? Do you want to pray to have a more open mind in matters in your life?
Fear and uncertainty are the usual challenges for people to be more open-minded. What will other people think if they change their mind, or entertain opinions they haven’t considered before? Will people start arguing with you if you try to be more open-minded? These and other questions are likely to pop up for you.
One easy thing you can do is take your worries and concerns to God in prayer. These seven honest prayers can help you pray about open-mindedness in key areas in your life. Feel free to modify them as needed to fit your circumstances. I encourage you to also look at prayers against pride, or prayers to get closer to God.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” ( Romans 12:2).
Despite the challenges, with prayer, you can be more open and accepting. I’d like to suggest a few tips for you to consider.
- Be humble. Remember that you don’t know everything. Be willing to admit when you are wrong and to learn from others. There’s always someone who knows something you don’t.
- Be curious. Ask questions and seek out new information. Be willing to explore different perspectives. Is it really going to hurt you if you look at an issue from a new point of view?
- Be respectful. Even if you disagree with someone, treat them with respect; they are another human being like you. Avoid the temptation to dehumanize them. Show that you value their opinion and try to understand their point of view–you don’t have to accept it, but at least listen.
The more you pray about being open-minded, the less threatened you will feel, because you’ll know that God is with you and you can be at peace and listen and ponder issues and concerns. I hope you will be strengthened as you pray!
Short Prayer About Being Open Minded
Dear God, I pray that you would help me to be more open-minded. Help me to be humble and curious, so I can be respectful of others, even if I disagree with them. I want to be open to new ideas and perspectives, even if they challenge my own beliefs. Help me to learn and grow in my faith each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer For Being Open-Minded With Your Spouse
Lord God, please help me to be more open-minded with my spouse. We come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives, so it can be easy to get caught up in our own ways of thinking.
I need to listen to my spouse with an open heart and mind. I think that will allow me to see things from their perspective and to understand their feelings. Help me to be willing to compromise and to find solutions that work for both of us. I love her and I can’t make her an enemy, regardless of what the topic or issue is.
Thank You for the gift of my spouse. Help me to cherish our relationship and to build a strong and loving marriage as I seek to be more open-minded. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Prayer For Being Open-Minded With Your Family
Dear God, will you help me to be more open-minded with my family? We all have different opinions and beliefs, which I love, but it can be easy to clash over our differences. Family gatherings can be more stressful the older we get. I want to interact with them with an open mind and I pray the same for them.
Help me to remember that we are all loved by You, so I can see my family members as individuals, with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. I’m sure I can learn something from each of them, so enable me to be patient and understanding, especially when I disagree with them.
I want to be a blessing to my family and to draw them closer to You. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer For Being Open-Minded With Someone You Disagree With
For some reason, I have several people in my life that I constantly disagree with, Lord. In the past, I have easily dismissed people who have different beliefs than me, but I know that is not what You want. I am praying to be more open-minded with people I disagree with.
Help me to see things from their perspective and to understand their point of view. I’m just tired of arguing all the time and I’d like to have a conversation. Help me to be respectful of their opinions, especially when I think they don’t know what they’re talking about on issues.
I’d like to be able to engage in meaningful dialogue with people who disagree with me. Help me to learn from them and to grow in my understanding of their world. I pray for all of this through Jesus, Amen.
Prayer For Open-Mindedness In Others
Lord God, I pray for open-mindedness in others. I pray that people would be willing to listen to new ideas and perspectives, even if they challenge their own beliefs. I think this would be a great thing for our community, and for our nation.
I ask You to move in people’s hearts so that they would be respectful of others, even if they disagree with them. I pray that people would be willing to learn from one another and grow in their understanding of each other. Help them to be curious, and not in conflict all the time.
I pray that open-mindedness would lead to a more just and loving world. I know this is a big prayer request, but I know that You are a big God. I ask this in faith, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-20).
Prayer For Open Minds In Politics
Dear God, I pray for open minds in politics, locally and nationally. I pray that our leaders would be willing to listen to different perspectives and to find solutions that work for everyone, not just their party or their little group.
I ask You to move in the hearts of our leaders so that they would seek to engage with others in a meaningful way, even if they disagree. I pray that our leaders would be willing to work together to build a better future for our country, our city, and our state. I don’t know how this would actually work, Lord, but I pray to You in faith that it can be possible. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Prayer For Being Open-Minded At School
Father God, I wish this for everyone at my school, but I know I need to start with myself. I pray to You for help in being more open-minded. I know that I can learn so much from my teachers and classmates, even if they have different beliefs and perspectives than me.
Help me to listen to my teachers and classmates with an open heart and mind. It can be confusing at times, so guide me with truth and righteousness. I am asking for strength so I can be willing to have my beliefs challenged without being afraid. I want to learn new things. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Final Thoughts
Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider new ideas and perspectives, even if those ideas challenge your own beliefs. It is an important quality for Christians, who are called to love God and love others.
When you are open-minded, you are more likely to understand and appreciate people who are different from you. You are also more likely to learn and grow in your own relationship with God.
There are many obstacles to being open-minded. A major one is your own pride. You may be afraid to admit that you are wrong or that you don’t know something. You may also be afraid of being judged by others.
“So let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this—not to put a stumbling block or a hindrance in a brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).
Another obstacle to open-mindedness is your fear of the unknown. You may not be accepting of new ideas because they are unfamiliar or because they challenge your worldview. Or you might also be afraid of change.
Finally, your own experiences can also make it difficult to be open-minded. If you have been hurt or betrayed in the past, you can be more likely to close yourself off to new people and new ideas.
Praying for open-mindedness is not just about yourself. It is also about others. You can pray for your friends, family members, and church members to be more open-minded. You can also pray for your leaders and for the people in your community. As you pray for others, you open up your empathy to understand where they are coming from as well.
When you pray for open-mindedness, you are praying for God to break down the walls that separate your from others. You are coming to God in prayer to ask for help to understand and appreciate other people. You are praying for God to help you to build a more just and loving community where you are each day.
We’d love to hear about what God is doing through you as you pray. Share your requests and comments in the area below. Keep on praying!
