Prayer Prompt #27: Are You Speaking Life or Death over Your Children? (The Power of Words, Part 1)

The tongue has the power of life and death . . .

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

As parents, we have been given a special authority over our children, but with that authority comes great responsibility because we carry so much power to influence their lives -- for better, or for worse.

Let’s take just one example: our words. Our tiny little words have the power to build up or to tear down, to heal or to destroy. Proverbs 12:18 (ESV) puts it this way: “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Proverbs 18:21 tells us that the tongue has the power of life and death.  With my words, I can give life to my child’s defeated soul. Or, with my words, I can wound my child’s sensitive spirit.

I’ve seen my child’s face crumple and his eyes cast down after rash words spoken out of my frustration or anger.  And I’ve seen a warm glow spread from heart to smile and make my child’s face radiant when I affirm the character that God is forming in him.

But I wish there were more examples of the latter. So let’s pray . . .

Dear Jesus, make me a mother who opens my mouth with wisdom and even gives instruction to my children with kindness (Proverbs 31:26). May my conversation with my children always be full of grace (Colossians 4:6) rather than harshness. I too have been the victim of hurtful words and know their destructive power - so please prevent that I would hurt those I love with those kinds of words.  Instead make my words encouraging and affirming so they will build and strengthen my child to become everything You have designed him to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.