Dear Father,
Faith, a desire to be good, and knowledge are of little value if we are unable to control our impulses. I have seen many good church people who would say and do things that caused great harm to individuals and to the church. They were knowledgeable in scripture and lived a life of "goodness", but within them was an unkind spirit that would speak words that cut and maimed. I have seen "good" church people who had secret indulgences that eventually came out and created disillusionment within those who held them in high esteem.
Father, I earnestly pray that these children rise up as examples of what it means to follow you and that their spheres of influence be expanded greatly. But Lord, keep ever before them the awareness that in such a position, they have the ability to both encourage and wound. Give them an extra measure of self-control over their tongue. Help them to realize the power their words will have when they are in a position of influence and that such power must be closely controlled. Help them also to understand that many will look up to them as examples, and consequently they must be on their guard to distance themselves from temptation. Help them to realize their own human frailty and susceptibility to falling into temptation. Help them to keenly realize the damage that would be done if they fell.
Simply put, Lord, give them the sense and the desire to think before they act and before they speak, such that their lives are blessings to those around them and that they are ambassadors for your Son through whom their lives are given meaning.
Amen
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