Pray More Than I Say

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark (James 3:5, NIV).

Like many little girls in elementary school, I sometimes got in trouble for talking too much. To this day I’m still occasionally guilty of whispering during staff meetings at work. Ha!

As I get older I am understanding the importance of keeping my mouth shut. My mentor always tells me, “keep your dang mouth shut!” While this may sound like he’s being rude, he’s actually being very wise. And it’s wisdom I’ve tried to adhere to in many aspects of my life.

I do believe I am better than I once was about staying quiet instead of speaking. That being said, I still fail often. After a recent difficult conversation with a friend I was processing with the Lord about what had transpired, and the message was simple: I need to pray more than I say.

James 3:5 is a powerful verse of scripture that reminds me just how much damage can be caused by the tongue: “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”

How much damage control could be done in our relationships if we prayed more than we said? If we remind ourselves that the tongue is a spark that can set a forest on fire, might we be more cautious about what, how, and to whom we communicate?

There is a time and place to speak up and speak out. But when we choose our words wisely, they will carry more weight. I also believe that when we pray before we say, our words will be more closely aligned with the Holy Spirit instead of guided by the sickness of our hearts.

While this is wisdom that I want to guide the words I am speaking, I think it’s also important to remember this when others speak ill words to us. 

Luke 6:45 reminds us: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Words carry a lot of weight. Sometimes they can create or contribute to a burden, and other times they help lift a burden. Which of these do we want to be true of us?

Speak this prayer with me today:

Lord, help me to pray more than I say. Help me to use my words to speak life. Help me to prayerfully consider the words on my tongue before sharing. May my words be directed by the Holy Spirit and not my sick heart. Help me to use your Word as a guide for my lips while also allowing me to properly process words spoken to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!