Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Good afternoon, Jesus
Lord, experiencing Your grace and living in Your love makes our hearts joyful. We enjoy being around people to share the godly love You bestowed on us. But at times, in our fun-loving attitudes, we can say things that are hurtful and wish we could take back. We fail to follow the advice of the psalmist about putting a muzzle on my mouth (Psalm 39:1). You tell us our conversations should be always full of grace (Colossians 4:6). We do not want to be like the man Your brother James wrote about: if anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless (James 1:6). Forgive me, Lord. I realize how much spiritual work remains undone in my heart. Too often I open my mouth and step right in it. May Your Holy Spirit govern my words and actions to present the true image of who You are, Jesus. Let my words truly be laced with grace to influence others to put their faith in You. We know the skeptics will criticize Your followers, highlighting only our flaws, calling us hypocrites. Let the Holy Spirit guard our hearts so their poisoned words have no effects.
May we faithfully speak words of healing, words of encouragement, words of faith when we are with those facing medical issues and physical afflictions. May our words point to the cross where our physical, emotional and spiritual healings were obtained by Your sacrifice for our sins (1 Peter 2:24). Let our words speak of Your goodness and mercy, especially when illness invades our lives. Despite the medical trials, place a continual song in our hearts, so Your grace will be seen by all.
Forgive our sins. Heal our nation. Begin a spiritual renewal in each of us.
Being careful to lace our words with Your grace, Jesus, Amen.
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