Prayer for the Day

by Revd Canon David White

20th July 2025 - 5th Sunday after Trinity

Set a watch, O Lord, upon my tongue:
that I may never speak the cruel word,
which is untrue;
or, being true, is not the whole truth;
or being wholly true, is merciless;
for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

This prayer is for those moments when we are minded to tell someone so called ‘home truths’. At such times we run the risk of taking the high ground in order to say things that we believe others need to hear ‘for their own good’ but which they will not like. The prayer asks God to prevent us from saying things that are untrue or from being tempted to embellish or change the subject matter so as to make it only partially true. However, if we’re sure of our ground and in a position where we must say something then this prayer asks God to help us to speak with mercy.

The New Testament also helps us: the Letter of James warns that ‘the tongue is a fire’ (3.5) and St Paul in his Letter to the Galatians says that among the virtues that guide us in life are love, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness and self-control (5.22-23). These are evident in the lives of those who truly follow the example of Jesus. The author of this prayer was George Briggs (1875–1959) who was born in Kirkby-in-Ashfield and was a canon of Leicester and then later, Worcester Cathedrals. He was a renowned hymn writer for much of his working life.