Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Lord, help me to guard my tongue today. You know, Lord, I tire quickly. Folks can easily get on my nerves. Though I love them – You know I do – sometimes I can get to a place where I’ve had enough. And in those moments I just want to tell them what’s on my mind. And what’s funny about it is that I can always find a reason to justify what I say! And when the dust settles, the emotions die down, and I’ve had some time to think about it, I almost always can see how I could have responded differently.
Help me today to be an audible source of encouragement. Remind me that everything does not need to be said. For every one word of criticism give me ten words of encouragement. Show me the proverbial “brighter side” of every situation, personal encounter, other person engagement. Use me to build up not to tear down. I know that that doesn’t mean that I will always say what folks want to hear or what sounds good to their ears. But it does mean that I will always do so with love and in love, wanting the very best for everyone, encouraging them, building them up, and affirming affirming.
Lord, I also don’t want to be that person who lives by the adage, “If I don’t have anything good say I won’t say anything at all.” Instead, I ask that You always give me something good to say, words of encouragement, for everyone I encounter that I might build them up. Show me Your perspective on everything that I might speak life into matter. Lord, I ask this not because I want to be liked. I ask it because I want to be used. Give me an uplifting word today for anyone and everyone who comes my way to Your glory. Amen.