Prayer: Grant almighty God that we, as your redeemed people, would learn to guard our tongues against such evil as slander and gossip. We confess to you that we are prone to displaying the evil of our own hearts through the use of our words. We know how great a fire we can start with the careless use of our words. We know that we are often hypocritical in using our tongue, blessing you on the one hand and cursing men on the other. Please forgive us, and help us to use our tongues for good and not evil. Forgive us for our wicked hearts and purge out of us those things that are often demonstrated with our words and in our conversations. Please grant us what you command through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: James 3:1-12; Matt. 15:10-20