A Prayer about the King’s Speech

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32



Dear Jesus, every sunrise inaugurates a day in which we’ll need the gospel and every sunset confirms the same. And there’s no other aspect of our lives which more boldly underscores our need for the gospel than our speech—the various ways we speak to one another and about one another. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on me, King Jesus.

It’s only because you have spoken, and continue to speak, life giving words to us in the gospel that we have hope for change. Indeed, who are we that the King of glory would say to us, “You are Mine—completely forgiven and enveloped in my righteousness. I know your all of your sin and have made it my own. I know your weaknesses and enter them freely. I know your burdens and carry them gladly. I cannot love you more than I already do and I will never love you less. My desire is for you and I greatly delight in you. If you have ears to hear, I am constantly singing to you in the gospel. Listen, for I will quiet you with my love and change you by my grace. You are my beloved, now and forevermore.”

What but this gospel is powerful enough to free us from all gangrenous, “unwholesome” and destructive speaking? What but this gospel can evict from our hearts all bitterness, rage, brawling, slander malice? What but this gospel can move us, quickly and deeply, to grieve the ways we grieve the Holy Spirit? What but this gospel can move us to study one another’s needs rather than rehearse one another’s failures? What but this gospel can fill our hearts with our King’s grace and fill our mouths with our King’s speech?

King Jesus, all day long you will be kind and compassionate to us, without a momentary lapse. We are humbled and gladdened. Please love and speak through us, to your glory and by your grace. So very Amen, we pray, in your merciful and mighty name.

Scotty Smith