
Lord, guard my mouth, Control my speech,
Season my words with kind.
Let peace and goodness flow through me,
Renew my soul and mind.

Direct my tongue, the words I speak,
Love poured upon them all,
So I may bless, not cause distress,
to others, grown or small.

Lord, help me to refrain from speech,
Instead of spouting words
– to listen and to understand –
Not striving to be heard.

Oh, may I ever grow in You,
Controlling speech and tongue,
No wasted words and idle speech,
Give prayer and praise and song!
~ Deborah J. Flora
