The simplest word,
easy to say and quickly forgotten,
can leave a legacy of pain,
or a long-lingering joy.
Yet we fill the air with our words,
oblivious, or simply dismissive,
of their impact,
of the lives changed, for better or worse,
by our careless chatter.
Forgive us, gracious and creative Word of God.
Teach us the wisdom of careful speech,
the power of blessing,
the healing of forgiving,
the gift of truth-telling;
And give us the courage to speak out,
to do our part in filling the world
with words of life.
Amen.
