Do you find your tongue—speech gets you in trouble?
Mine does. Still.
This prayer for good speech in my Give us this day devotional was timely as lately my ‘tongue’ has gotten the better of me.

Prayer for Good Speech

Gracious God, with only words

you created the universe and called it “good.”

Help me, then, to use my words well,

to create only life and give blessings this day.

You numbered the stars and called each one by name.

Let me cherish each person I meet

and speak their name with reverence.

You promised that your word is very near to us,

already in our mouths and in our hearts.

Give me your Spirit, and teach me what to say.

Stand guard over my mouth and temper my heart

when emotions race and words so easily cut.

Help me know when to speak up,

to be a cry for the poor and a voice in the desert,

and teach me the wisdom to know when to be silent.

Give me the grace to speak the simple words:

“Please” and “Thank you.” “Yes.” “I love you.”

And strengthen me to say the words that need to be said:

“I was wrong.” “I’m sorry.” “Forgive me.” “I forgive you.”

Let my “yes” be “yes,” my “no” mean “no,”

and my promises be kept.

Above all, may I remember that

even if I speak with the tongues of angels,

yet do not have love, I am simply making noise.

So let my tongue be silenced if ever I forget you.

Lord, today, make me your word and open my lips, c*

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

—Diana Macalintal, adapted from The Work of Your Hands

*Make the Sign of the Cross on your lips.