A short prayer that will change your life

I have always had a tendency to speak my thoughts aloud, without discretion, the moment they hit my brain. Some friends mistake this for forthrightness and honesty. I recognize it is a lack of taste and tact. My sister calls it being a dumbass. Either way, this Verbal Diarrhea Syndrome (I'm lobbying the Center for Disease Control to recognize this as a pandemic) has started many arguments, caused many hurt feelings, and left me ducking my head with a Homer-Simpson "DOH!"on many occasions.

That is, until I found a few simple words that have changed my life -- a short, simple prayer I'd like to share with the world. If utilized in time, this prayer will save you daily heartache and make you an effective tool for God. Are you ready?

"Oh, Lord, please open my mouth and speak through me, or shut me up before I do any harm."

Amazing, huh?  I always tack on an "in Jesus' name, Amen," but that's pretty much the crux of it.

It started out a little longer:  "Dear Father in Heaven: If there is something that this person will receive from me, then please send Your Holy Spirit to open my mouth and speak through me, or, if not, then please close my mouth before I have a chance to cause any of your children to stumble."

With practical application it has morphed into a quick, quiet prayer, often mumbled under my breath before I have a chance to explode or spew drivel at someone that I'll regret. The trick is remembering to say it.

Countless times I have had foolish things on the tip of my tongue, destined to cause strife and close ears, when suddenly, my cell phone rings, or some other trivial interruption disrupts the flow of my dangerous thoughts, just in the nick of time. I've come to recognize these saving graces when they occur, realizing what I almost said, taking my cue from God, and shutting the hell up.

And then there are those other times.  The times that I wish God would send some interruption, because I know what I'm going to say isn't going to be easy.  Those times are covered too, because God will give you the words, and they will be perfect for His will. 

Here are a few of the resounding themes that impressed the importance of this strategy on me:

"The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."  Proverbs 13:3

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles."  Proverbs 21:23

"I said, 'I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.'"  Psalm 39:1

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea."  Mark 9:42

"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way."  James 3:5-10

"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment."  Matthew 12:36

Yikes!