Psalm 141:3, 4
“Take control of what I say, O LORD, 
and guard my lips. 
Don’t let me drift toward evil 
or take part in acts of wickedness. 
Don’t let me share in the delicacies 
of those who do wrong.”(NLT)

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What sin patterns most often trip you up? How can you turn those temptations into prayers instead of acts of rebellion against God?

King David gives us wisdom on how to handle those temptations that are most problematic at the moment. 

In verse 3 he prays, “Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.” Like us, David was tempted to say more than he should. He was tempted to say things he shouldn’t. Hurtful and harmful speech does damage not only to its target but also to the tongue that releases it. 

David gives us a powerful sentence prayer that comes in handy in many situations: “Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.” This is worth memorizing and implementing as often as necessary. 

In verse 4 David prays, “Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.” Aimless living often leads to unwholesome entertainment and activity. Such darkness is seldom a matter of a straight line from where we should be to where we should not be. Instead, there is a meandering approach or carelessness that places us where sin is easy and obedience is difficult. 

We find another sentence prayer worth capturing for future use: “Don’t let me drift toward evil.”

David continues, “Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.” We have heard that morality goes down in a crowd. Choose companions who will elevate your walk with God and not those who promise delicacies that are enemies of our souls. 

The sentence prayer for us to see and say is “Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.” 

These sentence prayers are strength for our souls. How can you turn those problem areas of your life into simple prayers like this? Where do you need God to control something you say or do? What do you drift toward that you need to sail away from? What unwholesome treats allure you? What companions lead you into behavior you would be much better for avoiding?

Every issue of life, every growth opportunity, every danger to avoid provides pathways of prayer that are simple, powerful, and effective. Learn to pray like King David regarding all of life’s challenges.

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I will pray about every challenge that comes my way as I seek God’s better alternative to every temptation.

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Our Father, with King David we pray, “Take control of what I say.” “Guard my lips.” “Don’t let me drift toward evil.” “Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.” Like King David, we will turn the temptations and challenges of our lives into simple prayers of deep trust as we depend on your strength for where we are weak. Amen.