Today I offer a prayer for wise speech and holding one’s tongue. We looked at this concept the other day, and it’s something I consistently struggle with. I need help with controlling my tongue, so why not pray about it?
Father God, our Abundantly Wise and Discerning Sovereign Lord, You are magnificent beyond imagination. If we believe ourselves to be honoring You, yet do not control our tongues, we deceive ourselves and our religious devotion is worthless. Rash words are like thrusts of a sword bringing harm, but a wise person’s tongue brings healing. A perverse tongue breaks people’s spirits, yet a gentle tongue is a tree of life. Jesus warns us that on the day of judgement we will give account for every careless word we speak, that we will be both justified and condemned by our words. He also says it’s not what goes into our mouths that defiles us, but what comes out of them. So Lord we ask You to please set a guard over our mouths, and keep watch over the front door of our lips. Please let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths, but only timely speech that is good for encouraging, edifying, giving grace and healing to those who hear it. May we become quick to listen and slow to speak, with words that are gracious, wise and preserve the people to whom we speak. May our words be reserved to bless You our Lord and Father, and those who are made in Your image. Please help us to restrain our words and maintain a cool spirit, so we may be considered wise and knowledgeable, bringing You glory and honor, forever and ever, amen.
[Inspired by Jas 1:26, Pro 12:18,15:4, Mt 12:36-37,15:11, Psa 141:3, Eph 4:29, Jas 1:19, Col 4:6, Jas 3:9, Pro 17:27-28]
~ Conqueror in Training