A Year of Prayer: Season One Weekday DevotionalsSample

We may each have had an experience of a careless (or intentional) word spoken over us or to us that we didn’t like. Think about a time that that has happened to you.

⁃ What did it feel like?
⁃ What was said?
⁃ What did God say in response (if you have prayed or brought it before the Lord)
⁃ What has healing felt like?

When we experience those slashes of the tongue, we can feel wary of the person in future conversations. Quite rightly, our feelings might change, and a lack of safety might be felt.

But how do we return to a place of peace for our souls?

King David himself wrote, ‘With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship, they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.' (Psalms 109:3-4, 21-22 NIV)

God helps us as we turn to God in prayer.

But on the flip side, it may be our casual slash of the tongue that undoes someone without knowing. A careless word, a too-quickly-dashed email, a lack of grace in the lunchroom. These slights and offences aren’t just irritants or irrational responses - for that’s certainly not how it feels when it happens to us, is it? ‘They did WHAT again?’

If you read the whole of Psalm 109, David’s hurt extends to curses, words spoken to bring death and promise destruction. Curses are surely not something we want to speak against others.

Jesus says instead, ‘You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbour and hate your enemy." But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?' (Matthew 5:43-46 NIV)

Let us return to rest, carefully examining and resolving our words and actions. When others charge us, let us deal with them with grace and tact. When our words hurt, let us resolve to heal.

When others hurt us, let us resolve to bless.

When anything is spoken, let it be through a heart steeped in prayer and submission before the First Word and the Last One, Christ.

Amen!

Prayer: Jesus, you are a wonderful prince of peace. You are the king of kings. Your holiness resides from the reigning places in heaven to the depths of the earth. You formed me in my mother’s womb. Let the words formed in my mouth bring life also.

Action: Reflect on how you have spoken well or harshly this week. Pray and repent. Reflect on this week's times you have been spoken to well or spoken to harshly. Pray and forgive. Seek blessing.