Evening Prayer: Love's Healing Touch: Overcoming Offenses – February 20, 2026

EVENING OFFICE

Love's Healing Touch: Overcoming Offenses

FEBRUARY 20, 2026

""Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.""

— Proverbs 17:9

In the tapestry of human relationships, love serves as the thread that binds individuals together. Proverbs 17:9 reminds us of the profound impact our responses to offenses have in shaping our relationships. To foster love means to actively engage in the delicate art of forgiveness, choosing to overlook mistakes rather than magnifying them. When we cover over an offense, we emulate the heart of Christ, who chose grace over condemnation, demonstrating that love is both a shield and a balm. On the contrary, when we allow grievances to spill over through gossip or repeated confrontation, we risk tearing apart the very fabric of friendship. This verse invites us to reflect on how we handle offenses and challenges us to cultivate an environment of love and trust, where our relationships can thrive rather than be frayed by misunderstandings or betrayals.

The Benediction

Dear God, grant me the wisdom to understand the depth of love that covers over an offense. Help me to be quick to forgive and slow to anger, allowing me to create a safe space for my friends and loved ones. Teach me to speak life and unity rather than divisiveness, so that the bonds of friendship may grow stronger and not weaker. May Your love fill my heart, guiding my actions and words, so that I may reflect Your grace in all my relationships. Amen.

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🌙 Consider one relationship in your life where you may have been hurt or have witnessed offense. Instead of pursuing gossip or dwelling on the hurt, reach out to that person with love and forgiveness. Reflect on how covering offenses can lead to deeper connections, and practice this principle in your daily interactions. Commit to speaking healing words that build up rather than tear down.

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