Prayer Help:Set a Guard over my mouth O Lord

A Norvell Note

Vol. 11 No. 42 October 20, 2008

A Prayer For My Words

In Psalm 141:3 the Psalmist writes, "Set a guard over my mouth, O
Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." (NIV) "Take control of
what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips." (NLT) "Help me to guard my
words whenever I say something." (CEV)

Father, put a guard over my mouth when I am about to say something I
should not say. Whether it is a word that is untrue, a word that is
negative, a word that is critical, or a word that discourages, Lord,
stop the words before they come out of my mouth. Close the door of my
lips and prevent the words from leaving my mouth.

Father, take control of what I say. Help me think before I speak. Help
me pause before I speak. Help me consider my audience before I speak.
Some things are inappropriate for some to hear. Some things are
inappropriate for all to hear. Some things do not need to leave my
mouth. Father, guard my lips and control what I say.

Father, help me guard my words when I say something. Help me make sure
that the words I speak are worth hearing. If they are not, let me be
silent. Being quiet may be better than being foolish. Being silent may
be better than being critical, judgmental, or destructive.

Father, sometimes there are words of encouragement that need to pass
through my lips, let them through. Sometimes there are words of hope
that need to be spoken, let me speak them. Sometimes there are words
of exhortation that need to be shared, please don't let me remain
quiet during those moments.

Father, there are times when someone needs to hear that I love them,
let me say those words. There are times when someone needs to hear
that I appreciate them, let me say those words. There are times when
someone needs to hear something hopeful, let me say those words.

Father, there are times when I am afraid to speak. Please remove the
fear that prevents me from speaking on behalf of the weak, the
oppressed and the helpless. Please remove the fear that keeps me quiet
when a child is neglected, abused, or ignored. Please remove the fear
that prevents me from speaking when someone needs to hear of Your love
for them. Help me never to miss an opportunity to speak for You.

Father, there are times when I need to speak, and times when I need to
be quiet. Give me the wisdom to know the difference and the courage to
respond accordingly.

Father, guard my lips. Open them when they need to be opened and allow
the words that need to pass through them to pass. Close them when they
need to be closed and prevent any word that might do damage to another
soul from passing through.

Help me to guard my words whenever I say something.

Tom
A Norvell Note (c) Copyright 2008. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.