February 23
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PSALM 12 THE FAITHFUL HAVE VANISHED
Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. 2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?” 5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” 6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.7 You, O LORD, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever.8 On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.
– Psalm 12:1-8
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PRAYER FOR PURITY AND HONESTY by ILMA
Lord, all those who live honest lives have vanished
Every person utters lies and speaks mostly rubbish
Many want to please each other but not the Lord
Nobody really cares about the truth and his word
Even those who claim to have faith have failed
Opportunities to witness for Christ are missed
Each one seeks his own convenience and safety
Gone are the loving and compassionate servants
What a crazy world we live in where flattery thrives
Honest and pure people are rare and so hard to come by
Give us hearts that long to be pure for your glory
Keep us away from the corruption of the enemy
Put a guard on our mouths and let us utter life
Keep our lips from deceit and from speaking lies
Make us desire your will instead of following ours
Never let the enemy win or allow him to devour us
Protect us from all vile schemes of the devil
Lord, deliver us from all wickedness and evil.
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REFLECTION
• James 3:6 agrees with the psalmist about how evil our tongue is. What does the psalmist pray for in verse 3 and why should we pray this same request?