Morning prayer · 19 July

Seasoned with salt

A small saltshaker tipping to season a simple bowl of food on a table, just the right pinch falling, with the words “seasoned with salt” lettered by hand.

Lord, turn my eyes away from worthless things. Let my eyes look straight ahead, fixed on the path in front of me. Put a hedge of thorns around my ears, so they don’t turn to careless words. Give me, early, an ear that listens, and open my ears to what your word teaches. Lord, set a guard over my mouth, and keep watch at the door of my lips. Let my words be seasoned with salt, so they bring grace to the people who hear them. Let me do nothing that will grieve me or trouble my heart. Let me do some work today, Lord, that you will remember for good. Amen.

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3 (BSB)

Adapted from Lancelot Andrewes, Private Devotions (tr. J. H. Newman, 1840), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.