A beautiful prayer...

... found in the book Saintly Solutions to Life's Common Problems, by Fr. Joseph Esper.

God of mercy and truth, 

You gave us the ability to speak
so that we might glorify You and 

encourage our brothers and sisters.

Help me to overcome my tendency to

speak unkindly about others

and to criticize those around me.

Teach me instead to praise, to encourage, to defend,

and to say only those things I myself would

want to hear from someone else.

Form within me the habit of praying for help

in overcoming those faults I observe and of

speaking respectfully to those with whom I disagree.

Please give me also the courage to accept criticism 

from others by responding calmly, 

while honestly considering whether their remarks

contain wisdom and truth.

May all my words be pleasing to You

and beneficial to those who hear them. Amen.

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