REPENTING FOR ANGER, ABUSE & SLANDER:
SCRIPTURES: MATTHEW 5:21-22a “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…”
EPHESIANS 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
PROVERBS 10:18He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
PROVERBS 15:4A wholesome tongueis a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
PROVERBS 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
THOUGHT: The prophets of the Old Testament and Jesus Himself have emphasized the danger of an unbridled tongue. Too often our words are used to criticise and destroy rather than to uplift and edify one another. There are many Scriptures that teach us to choose our words wisely, to think about what we’re going to say and the good effect of appropriate, well chosen words, rather than words spoken in anger and haste.
Death and life truly are in the power of the tongue. Let us slow down and chose our words wisely.
PRAYER: LORD, I repent for my misuse of the precious gift of speech. From time to time my words have been harsh, uncaring and unkind. I ask your forgiveness and I seek the forgiveness of those I have harmed. I desire to be a builder and repairer rather than a destroyer who causes pain. Give me patience, restraint and the ability to restore and reconcile rather than to hurt and alienate.
I receive Your love and forgiveness. Help me to love and forgive others the way You have treated me. In the Name of Jesus.
LORD, I pray for our nation. In the areas of politics, religion, social justice, education and more, there is much polarization and many evil accusations being hurled at one another. Bring peace and civil accord to our nation. In Jesus’ Name.
Turn us around LORD, that we as a nation turn back to the source from which we came. Let it be a Sovereign work of Your own hand to turn this nation around. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN!