7 Prayers to Tame Your Tongue
Share This Blog Post On:
Short on time, but big on faith? We break down complex topics into easy-to-understand chunks, making the Bible accessible to everyone. Join us for answers to your Bible questions and encouragement for your daily walk with God. Click here to grow your faith, one byte at a time!
Words are powerful. In fact, Scripture reminds us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). This reality is not just poetic—it is spiritual law. God created the universe through speech (Genesis 1), and since we are made in His image, our words also carry the ability to build or destroy, bless or curse, heal or hurt.
The Psalmist, recognizing the danger and responsibility that comes with speech, often cried out to God for help in taming his tongue. In Psalm 141:3, he prayed, “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” In Psalm 19:14, he added, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Why did he pray like this? Because he understood a deep spiritual truth: God doesn’t use words the way humans do. When God speaks, His words become decrees—unchangeable, powerful, and life-giving. “God is not a man, that he should lie…” (Numbers 23:19). In fact, He has “exalted His word above His name” (Psalm 138:2), placing the highest level of integrity and honor on His spoken Word.
For this reason, whenever God wants to use someone as His mouthpiece, He often begins by purging or sanctifying their speech. Before they carry His authority, their mouth must be aligned with heaven’s standards. In this post, we’ll explore seven powerful examples in the Bible where God dealt with someone’s mouth before using them—what we might call “mouth treatment.” Alongside each example, we’ll provide a prayer and a declaration you can use to tame your own tongue and invite God to guard your speech.
Related Posts:
One – Jeremiah
When God called Jeremiah as a prophet, Jeremiah hesitated. He said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth” (Jeremiah 1:6). But God responded by reaching out and touching his mouth: “Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth’” (Jeremiah 1:9). Before Jeremiah could speak to kings and nations, God had to sanctify his mouth. This wasn’t just about eloquence—it was about purity and spiritual authority. God’s Word is holy, and so the vessel that carries it must be refined.
Prayer: Father, I surrender my mouth to You. Just as You touched Jeremiah’s lips, touch mine today. Remove from me any speech that lacks wisdom, truth, or grace. Put Your words in my mouth so I may speak only what aligns with Your will. I declare that my tongue shall no longer be ruled by fear, negativity, or lies. My mouth shall be a vessel of truth, power, and love in Jesus’ name.
Two – Isaiah
When Isaiah encountered the holiness of God in a vision, his first reaction was a confession: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). He recognized that his mouth was not fit to carry the words of a holy God. In response, a seraph flew to him with a live coal from the altar and touched his lips, saying, “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged” (Isaiah 6:7). This divine “mouth treatment” was critical. Only after his lips were purged did God ask, “Whom shall I send?” And Isaiah responded, “Here am I! Send me.”
Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge that I too have spoken in ways that dishonor You. Cleanse my lips as You did Isaiah’s. Let my mouth be touched by the fire of Your Spirit. Burn away lies, gossip, and complaints, and replace them with truth and praise. I declare that my tongue is sanctified and set apart for the glory of God. From this day forward, I will speak as one who has encountered the holiness of God.
Three – Joshua
As the Israelites prepared to conquer Jericho, God gave Joshua a strange instruction: no one was to speak during the march. “Joshua had commanded the people, saying, ‘You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout’” (Joshua 6:10). Why this silence? Because in the past, Israel’s words had gotten them into trouble. Their complaints delayed their destiny. God was teaching them the discipline of silence—to wait until the right moment to speak. This is a powerful lesson in spiritual warfare: sometimes silence is a weapon. Speaking prematurely can abort victory. Learning when to speak and when to stay silent is a sign of maturity and spiritual authority.
Prayer: Lord, teach me the discipline of silence. Help me to hold my peace until You say it’s time to speak. Give me self-control over my emotions and reactions, so I do not speak out of fear or frustration. I declare that my tongue is under divine control. I will not speak in haste. I will wait on the Lord and speak only when He says, “Shout!”
Four – Zechariah
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist, Zechariah doubted the message. “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years” (Luke 1:18). Because of his unbelief, the angel said, “Behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place” (Luke 1:20). In this case, God shut Zechariah’s mouth—not to punish him, but to protect the promise. Negative speech has the power to delay or derail what God is doing. God silenced Zechariah to prevent him from speaking doubt into a divine plan. Sometimes the best thing God can do for us is to close our mouths until our hearts can align with His promise.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for every time I have spoken doubt or unbelief over what You promised. Help me to speak in faith and agreement with Your Word. Shut my mouth if I’m about to speak words that oppose Your will. I declare that my words will no longer sabotage my destiny. My mouth will speak life, not limitation. I will not speak against the promises of God, but I will declare them in faith.
Five – Moses
When God called Moses from the burning bush, Moses resisted the call by pointing to his speech. “O my Lord, I am not eloquent… but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4:10). God replied, “Who has made man’s mouth? … Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say” (Exodus 4:11–12). God reminded Moses that his perceived weakness didn’t disqualify him. In fact, God promised to be with his mouth—to guide his speech and give him the words to say. Authority in prayer doesn’t come from perfect grammar or oratory skill; it comes from alignment with God’s voice. This is encouraging for anyone who feels unqualified to pray or speak publicly. If God is with your mouth, that’s all you need.
Prayer: Lord, I may feel unworthy or unsure, but I invite You to be with my mouth. Teach me what to say. Let me speak words that are led by Your Spirit and not limited by my insecurities. I declare that God is with my mouth. My words are not my own—I speak as one led by the Spirit. My mouth shall carry wisdom, life, and authority in Jesus’ name.
Six – Peter
Peter had a tendency to speak impulsively. In Matthew 16, when Jesus spoke of His impending death, Peter rebuked Him: “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee” (Matthew 16:22). Jesus turned and said to Peter: “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God” (v. 23). Peter had unknowingly allowed his tongue to become a tool for Satan’s agenda. Yet, Jesus later restored him and gave him leadership among the apostles. Peter’s transformation was evident on the day of Pentecost when he preached boldly, and 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2:14–41). This shows that God can take a reckless tongue and turn it into a powerful voice for the kingdom—but not without correction and spiritual growth.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for speaking carelessly or from emotion. Rebuke and correct me when I speak words that hinder Your plan. Use my voice for Your glory like You did with Peter. Let my speech bring salvation and transformation. I declare that my tongue is no longer reckless. God has restored and anointed my mouth to preach, teach, and speak life. My words will bring healing, hope, and truth. Amen.
Seven – Ezekiel
When Ezekiel was called into prophetic ministry, God said something extraordinary: “And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house. But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth” (Ezekiel 3:26–27). Ezekiel was temporarily made mute so he would not speak of his own accord but only when God gave him words. God did not want Ezekiel’s personal opinions, frustrations, or emotions to color His message. Only divine utterance was permitted. This teaches us that spiritual authority in prayer and ministry demands that our tongue be under God’s full control. If we want to represent Him, we must speak His words—not just our feelings or reactions.
Prayer: Lord, let my mouth speak only when You lead me. Silence every voice in me that is not from You. Teach me to speak with restraint and with divine wisdom. Let my words be Your words. I declare that my tongue is governed by the Spirit of God. I will not speak rashly or reactively. I will speak only what is edifying, true, and spirit-led. Amen.
Conclusion
Taming the tongue is not just about avoiding gossip or staying quiet during arguments—it’s about preparing your mouth to carry divine authority. A mouth that is surrendered to God can prophesy His promises, pray with boldness, speak healing over the broken, and silence the lies of the enemy. The Bible says in James 3:2 “If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” In other words, controlling your tongue is a sign of spiritual maturity and power. As you meditate on these seven examples—Jeremiah, Isaiah, Joshua, Zechariah, Peter, Ezekiel, and Moses—remember that each of them had to go through a moment of mouth sanctification before God could use them greatly. Make it your daily prayer to surrender your tongue to the Lord. Ask Him to guard your lips and to use your words as instruments of life and truth.
Daily Declaration and Prayer: Father, I give You my tongue, my lips, and my speech. Sanctify them with holy fire. Set a guard over my mouth. Let every word I speak reflect Your heart. May I not speak idly or in fear, but with wisdom, truth, and boldness. I declare My mouth is under the authority of the Holy Spirit. I speak life, I speak truth, I speak in faith. My tongue is no longer a weapon of destruction but a vessel of power, purity, and praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Continue Reading More On Spiritual Warfare In The Guides Below:
|
