Psalm 19:14
May the speech from my mouth and the thoughts in my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray that your Spirit will guide our speech and our thoughts. May our hearts be filled with your love rather than hate and rage against others. This statement is easier said than done. For all who do not know you, thoughts about satisfying their wants and needs fill their words and ideas. Then, they fulfill their desires at others’ expense; this is how the world reacts due to sin. As believers living in this life, we are both sinners and saints; our hearts constantly struggle between good and evil. We are not perfect and often err, so we ask for your forgiveness when we sin, and please strengthen us to overcome those sins.
Because of sin in the world, you sent your Son out of love for us to take the load of the world’s sin upon himself. Jesus did that when he went to the cross so that everyone who believes in Him—that he lived the perfect life, suffered our punishment, died on the cross, and rose again—will have salvation and eternal life.
Your love for us changes how we react to others. All these gifts are ours through the faith your Holy Spirit began in us. They become transforming; our thoughts and words are no longer filled with hate and anger but love that flows from you through us. We have been set apart as holy by your Spirit. Forgive us when we revert to our former ways; strengthen our faith so that the words we speak and the thoughts of our hearts reflect Jesus—our Rock and Redeemer—resulting in others learning about the forgiveness of sins and the love of their Savior. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Words and thoughts pleasing to God can only come from a heart that believes in Jesus’ love and forgiveness. The love he demonstrated and felt toward his enemy—you!