I love praying the scriptures because then I know I am praying based on the will of God. I’ve prayed and written about scriptures to help you know God more, as well as scripture to pray for wisdom and guidance. Now,  I am writing about praying the scriptures to control your tongue. Because I need it. I just finished reading and praying through the book Fervent by Pricilla Shirer. Through this dynamic book, I began praying the scripture for many more areas in my life, first the ones suggested in the book, then based on my own needs. If you are serious about changing your prayer life, read Feverent!  

Before I share these Scripture prayers, I need to make an honest confession. This week we started on a Bible study from Not Consumed called The Fruit of the Tongue.
Our family really needs it.

I really need it.

The Fruit of the Tongue has a youth,  junior, & primary version. My older kids go through the youth version on their own, and I help the younger kids with the junior verson. Then, we discuss our answers during our evening family devotion time before bed.

As I was going through The Fruit of the Tongue with my 7, 8, and 9 year olds, I completely lost my temper. I became so frustrated with how long it was taking. The kids were filling in the blanks, and I had spelled the word several times. I had my 8 year-old repeat the next three letters after me, then write. Each time she would still write the letters wrong. After several times, I yelled. Close to her ear. (Definitely not one of my best parenting moments!)

I focused so on my own frustration that the irony of the situation didn’t hit me until the end of the lesson. We were to write a prayer asking God’s forgiveness for using our words  wrongly.

Ouch.

I repented and apologized to my kids.

The next morning during my quiet time, I wrote out relevant scriptures and began praying the scriptures to control my tongue.

Have you been there? You are not alone! Let’s use the scriptures to pray God’s word and see a change in ourselves that sets an example for our families and others we influence.

Praying the Scriptures to Control Your Tongue

 

Start with the heart. Jesus said that what the mouth speaks comes from the heart.  Before our words will change, God must change our hearts. It begins with knowing Jesus as your Savior, then continues with the process of “sanctification,” which is just us becoming more like Jesus daily.

Father, according to your word  “A good man out of the treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45, Matthew 12:35).  My heart is deceitful and desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9) Take my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Help me love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, then love my neighbor as myself with my words (Mark 12:30).

I will give an account for every careless work I speak on the day of judgment. My words will justify or condemn me. Let my words reflect the good treasure of Christ in my heart (Matthew 12:35-37). Thank you that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1).

”Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14)

Let me open my mouth with wisdom and put the law of kindness on my tongue (Proverbs 31:26).

Let no unwholesome word come out of my mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).

Let my speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that I may know how I ought to answer each one (Colossians 4:6).

Father, help me give a soft answer that turns away wrath instead of a harsh word that stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

 The tongue us a little member that boasts great things. It is a fire, a world of iniquity that defiles the whole body and is set on fire by hell. No man can tame it. It is evil and full of deadly poison. With it I bless You, my God and Father, and with it I curse or hurt others who are made in your likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This should not be (James 3). I confess my sin with my tongue and ask for Your forgiveness, knowing You are faithful and just to forgive and cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Father, help me use my tongue to bless even those who curse or persecute me (Luke 6:28, Romans 12:14).

Father, help me to put away falsehood and speak the truth to others (Ephesians 4:25), but to also speak the truth in love as I grow in Christ (Ephesians 4:15).

Father, help me me follow in the steps of Jesus, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth. While being reviled he did not revile in return; while suffering he did not threaten. Like Jesus, let me keep entrusting myself to You, the righteous judge. Thank You that Jesus bore my sins in His body on the cross so that I might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:21-24).

 Trust that God will hear and answer your prayer, knowing it is accounting to His will and Word, then spend time praising Him with your tongue!

“My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.” Psalms‬ ‭145:21‬ ‭NASB‬‬

 “With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him.” Psalms‬ ‭109:30‬ ‭NASB‬‬

 “I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” Psalms‬ ‭146:2‬ ‭NASB‬‬

 “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You.” Psalms‬ ‭63:3‬ ‭NASB

Father, thank you for hearing and answering my prayer‬‬. I am confident that You Who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it on the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

 

I want my children to remember a mom who spoke patiently even in hard circumstances–and a mom willing to apologize when she messed up. For that to happen, I need God to change me from the inside out. It is a good work He has begun in me and He will be faithful to complete it in Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

Remember,  more is “caught” than “taught.” If we want our kids to speak patiently to each other, we must set the example as parents.

How has God helped you control your tongue and teach your children to do the same? Please share your tips in the comments! Also read Using the Fruit of the Spirit to Tame Your Tongue by my friend at Mississippi Mom.

I hope to add a printable of these scriptures to pray for controlling your tongue, but in the meantime, be sure to bookmark this page so you can use these prayers often!