Prayers for Words, Attitude, and Gratitude

​Our words and our attitude matter a lot to God. Our words reveal what is in our hearts. They can lift up or tear down. It is important to pray our kids understand the impact and power of their words.
 
In our culture of instant gratification and countless comparison opportunities, our kids can fall into a pit of grumbling and dissatisfaction when things don’t go their way or seem as picture-perfect as they think they should be. We live in a media culture that screams, “you need this…your life would be better if you had this; if you looked like this; if you did this thing or had this thing…”  However, God tells us we should be grateful in ALL THINGS.  
 
Gratitude is one of the best ways to get us back on our God-ordained path and off the path of dissatisfaction and unproductive pity parties. Did you know that Jesus gave thanks BEFORE the miracles? Gratitude shifts our focus and changes our perspective. Gratitude is a game-changer for our kids and their attitude!

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
– John Piper

Prayer

​God, please help _________________ to understand the power and impact of (his/her) words. Help (him/her) to use (his/her) words in edifying instead of destructive ways. Help (his/her) words build up, and not tear down. Help (him/her) speak words of love, truth, and grace.
 
Please keep _________________’s words free from complaints, hurtful criticism, profanity and gossip. Instead let (his/her) words be full of love, compassion, and encouragement.
 
Help ____________________ avoid the temptation to gossip and slander. Let (him/her) be a friend who is trustworthy. A friend that others know can be confided in.
 
Please help _________________ to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. May (he/she) have discernment about when to speak and when to be silent.
 
Let (his/her) words, attitude, and actions glorify You in all (he/she) does.
 
Help ______________________to always be able to see the good in things and people. To not be quick to unfairly judge.
 
God, help ____________________ to understand that while (he/she) can’t always control their circumstances or other people, (he/she) can control how (he/she) responds. Help (him/her) respond to adversity in Your power, with dignity, grace, compassion, empaty, and love.
 
Please help ________________ choose thanksgiving and hope over grumbling and despair. Let (him/her) see the good in people and recognize that we are all carrying burdens and heartaches. Give (him/her) a heart of compassion and understanding. Give (him/her) vision to see beyond immediate circumstances. Help (him/her) see people and situations as You do, with a lens of hope, purpose, and final victory.
 
Help _________________ to remember that You are a God of abundance not scarcity. That in Your kingdom, there is enough – more than enough – to go around. Enough love, grace, forgiveness, purpose, joy and opportunity.
 
Help ________________________ to pray without ceasing, to rejoice always, and to have a heart of gratitude, even when things are difficult. Help (him/her) to give thanks in ALL things. 

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Tips for Parents

It’s no surprise, given the importance Jesus placed on it and how God created us, that countless research studies have shown that practicing gratitude has so many positive life benefits. A Harvard publication summarized a study showing that “those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives.” God knows gratitude is a game-changer! Consider starting a family gratitude journal or jar. Here are some ideas:
 

• Gratitude Jar – decorate a large mason jar (or similar type jar, or even a box) and place some smaller blank pieces of paper next to it. Encourage everyone in the family to write things they are grateful for from time to time and place them in the jar. Every few months, as a family, you can read all the slips of paper together.
• Gratitude Journal – any blank journal or spiral notebook will do…you can get fancy or super simple. Put a #1 on the first line and write start your gratitude list, writing something you are thankful for. Encourage the family to add to it with things they are grateful for. Keep it out and open in a place where you can see it often. As family members see others add items to it, it will remind them to also add things they are grateful for over the days, weeks, months, and even years. Every now and then you can date the pages to remember when the lists were written. Your family gratitude journal will be a blessing to look back on for many years. It can also be something encouraging to read through when you or your kids are having a rough day and serve as a reminder of all you have to be thankful for.

Link for Resources

Scripture

We will be held in account for our words
But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. Matthew 12:36-37
 
Words matter
-It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth. Matthew 15:11

What you speak reveals your heart
But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. Matthew 15:18
 
Let your words be wholesome and build others up
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. Ephesians 4:29
 
Be quick to listen, slow to speak
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1:19

Control your tongue
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26

Words have powerful impact – for good or for bad
The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. James 3:3-6

Blessing and cursing should not come from the same mouth
And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! James 3:10

Speak truth
If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 1 Peter 3:10
 
Wise words bring healing
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
 
Think carefully about your words
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. Proverbs 15:28
 
Speak gracious words
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24
 
Do not grumble
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; Philippians 2:14
 
Do not complain about one another
Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. James 5:9
 
Words have power
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
 
Give thanks in ALL circumstances.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
 
We give thanks because God is good.
Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1-2 
 
Give thanks in your prayers to God.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
 
Give thanks for victory in Jesus.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
 
Paul gives thanks for growing faith.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3
 
Gives thanks for the goodness and love of God.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 1 Chronicles 16:34
 
Give thanks for all that God is in your life.
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Romans 11:36
Give thanks for the wonderful deeds God has done in your life. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1
 
Give thanks in all you do.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
 
Be thankful.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
 
Be thankful in prayer.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2
 
Give thanks for a new day.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it Psalm 118:24
 
Give thanks for friends and fellow believers.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, Ephesians 1:16

Give thanks for all good things which come from God.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
 
Give thanks for eternity in heaven that awaits us.
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28
 
Give thanks always and for everything.
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:20
 
Gratitude glorifies God.
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God! Psalm 50:23
 
Jesus gives thanks before raising Lazarus from the dead.
So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. John 11:41

​Psalm 100
A Psalm for giving thanks.
 
Make a joyful noise to the Lord,
all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord,
he is God!
It is he who made us,
and we are his;
we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him;
bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.