Prayer to tell yourself a better story
By Alisha Headley
Bible reading: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
Read or listen to the following:
Our words have a great impact on others and ourselves. There are words that others have spoken to me in the past. I’m sure you can think in relation to the times when others have made you swear about you, slander you, or speak harsh words about you that you have believed in for quite some time. Words weigh a lot and thrust us to the heart, so words can affect us more than physical pain.
We believe that other people’s words that were said about us, or perhaps some of us spoke more negative words than ourselves, so these words become our truth, You can become part of our identity. We tend to live our lives according to the stories we tell ourselves. In fact, the Bible says, “As man thinks in his mind, so too are he” (Proverbs 23:7). In other words, the stories you tell yourself, think about yourself, and talk about yourself will affect the way you live your life. What comes out of our mouth is the story we start to live in because we create the stories we tell.
Today’s Bible poems highlight this: “Death and life lie in the power of the tongue.” You can literally speak life or death on yourself by your situation, your home, your family, or by your chosen words. And today’s poem continues to say that from talking about life or death, whether good or bad, it reaps its fruit. Words are so powerful, and the words we speak determine the story we live in. We need to choose our words wisely so that we can recognize the words we are speaking and tell our lives in our stories. Start speaking the words of life and telling yourself a better story… God’s tale.
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord,
Father, throw words and forgive us for not knowing what comes out of our mouths. Please forgive the slander and gossip that we spread in words and participate in negative speeches towards ourselves and others. Lord, fill us with the words of your life. May our words be sweet and encouragement not only for today, but for others as well. Before you talk, stop and pause every day and think about it. Regarding all the places we have died in the past, Lord, show us where we need to speak of life to the broken places and hopeless situations we face. Give us the words of life and your truth to speak about our situation. Through the power of words, we can speak truth and life in all circumstances. Let us also talk about life and surround us with others who reveal those who hinder us. Help us to be kind to words like Jesus. Thank you for your wisdom and for your words today. Thank you for reminding me that your story is always a better story. We praise you and we love you.
In your name, Jesus, we pray, amen.
Photo credit: ©getTyimages/opolja3
Alisha Headley is a writer + speaker who has the desire to meet everyday women in their daily lives with biblical truths. Stepping into her true calling, she can leave the corporate world as a former treasurer VP, loving her family as a home wife + dog mom, while also pursuing her passion as a writer I did. Healing from the chapters of life consumed with lies she once believed about herself, Christ the woman to experience freedom + power to overcome those lies with truths written in the Word of God It is inspired by turning towards. In her free time, Alisha enjoys road trips all over the country. Alisha is a proud wife and dog mom living in Scottsdale, Arizona.
You can follow her blog and visit her website or connect with her on Facebook + Instagram.
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