In a world filled with noise, it is easy to speak quickly and think later. Whether in our homes, our churches, or online, our words have great power, power to heal or to hurt, to guide or to confuse. Proverbs 31:26 gives us a beautiful example in the woman who opens her mouth with wisdom and teaches with kindness. This prayer is for anyone who longs to speak with grace and truth using words shaped by God’s wisdom and softened by his love.
A Prayer Based on Proverbs 31:26
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are a gracious and holy God, abounding in wisdom, mercy, and steadfast love. From the very beginning, you spoke the world into being by the power of your word. Your voice calms storms, heals the brokenhearted, and calls the wandering home. We praise you for your perfect wisdom and your tender compassion. Your word reminds us that “the words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). What a beautiful truth, Lord, that you always speak what is good, right, and true.
Father, we confess how often our own words fall short of your standard. Too easily we speak in haste or anger. Too quickly we tear down when we ought to build up. We are tempted to use our tongues for gossip, complaining, or self-promotion, forgetting that every careless word is known to you. Forgive us, Lord, for the ways we have wounded others with our speech. Forgive us for times when we stayed silent in the face of injustice or withheld words of comfort when they were needed most. Your word warns us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21), and we humbly ask for your mercy where we have chosen poorly.
Thank you, Lord, for the example of wisdom and kindness in your Son, Jesus Christ. He spoke with authority, yet never with cruelty. He corrected sinners, yet always with compassion. He welcomed the weary, comforted the hurting, and confronted evil without arrogance or harshness. Thank you for the glimpses of this same grace in those around us: in the friend who speaks truth in love, in the parent who gently corrects, in the stranger whose kind word brightens a heavy day.
Father, we pray that you would shape our hearts and tongues to reflect your goodness. Help us, like the Proverbs 31 woman, to open our mouths with wisdom and let the teaching of kindness be on our tongues (Proverbs 31:26). Give us discernment to know when to speak, courage to say what is needed, and humility to listen when silence is better. Fill our conversations with words that build up, restore, and bless. May we be quick to encourage, slow to criticize, and eager to share the hope we have in Christ.
For those facing difficult conversations today, grant wisdom and grace. For those who struggle with anger or anxiety in their speech, bring peace and self-control. And for those carrying wounds from hurtful words, we ask for healing and comfort. May our speech be seasoned with salt, full of grace, so that it may give life to those who hear (Colossians 4:6).
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Respond
Please pray a prayer about wise and kind words.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, you can use the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication:
- Adoration: Praise God. Does this topic bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
- Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this topic bring any specific sins to mind?
- Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this topic inspire gratitude?
- Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this topic inspire a prayer?
If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.
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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
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