The Letter of St. James
Chapter
3
¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verse 1)
Oh God, my beloved Father even though I am not a teacher but a social worker, I am aware of the responsibility that You have given me. If I were to break the law and appear before a judge, my condemnation would be greater, since I would be more responsible than others and my actions would be more willful and with intent. I pray that I am judged on earth more than in Heaven by You Amen, for since the moment I heard Your voice when You spoke to me I still feel the tremors.
² For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.
² For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verse 2)
Oh God, my beloved Father, how important it is to have control over what we speak, and decide not to speak if I know that I am going to do more harm than good if I do so. Amen
³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. ⁴ Or look at ships though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. ⁴ Or look at ships though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verses 3 to 5)
Oh God, my Father, the tongue even though one of the smallest parts of our body, can either be used to utter words of healing, or it can be used as an instrument that harms, injury and even kills another person with. Throughout these 16 years of marriage, I have been subject to emotional abuse from both my Father and even my wife and daughter. I pray oh God that You protect me from such people, by giving me the correct words in every interaction I have with them. Moreover oh God my Father, I pray that You help me to stop and think before giving an answer and let You give me the appropriate words Amen.
⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity, it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.
⁷ For every species of beast, and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸ but no one can tame the tongue- a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity, it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verses 3 to 6)
Oh God, my beloved Father, the tongue has always gotten me into trouble, because I am an honest person. Many people have abused of what I say and use what I say against me. I pray oh God my Father that You help me to think before I say something so that what I say will not be used against me Amen.
⁷ For every species of beast, and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸ but no one can tame the tongue- a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verses 7 to 8)
Oh God, my Father, I pray for control over this important but dangerous part of the body. Amen.
⁹ With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.
⁹ With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verse 9)
Oh God, my Father, I pray that You help me think before I speak, in order to avoid hurting others by what I say. I also pray that You take control over what I say Amen.
¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verses 10 to 12)
Oh God, my blessed Father, I pray that You purify my soul, my thoughts, and my behaviour, so that there will be no discrepancy in what I think to what I say and do. I confess to You that there are still people whom I still have doubts and negative thoughts about, of which I pray for healing so that I will be able to bear much good fruit Amen.
¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.
¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verse 13)
Oh God my blessed Father, the wisdom of the world is different from Your wisdom. That of the world is referred to by intelligence pride and many certificates, the wisdom given by You is manifested by a spirit of faith humility and kindness to others Amen.
¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth.
¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth.
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verse 14)
Oh God my beloved Father I pray that You clothe me with humility, may You undress me of my natural ego and inclinations so that I may be more like You Amen.
¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. ¹⁶ For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. ¹⁶ For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
(The Letter of St James Chapter 3 verses 15 to 18)
Oh God my Father like a person who is thirsty for water, I am also thirsty for Your wisdom. My craving is so strong that the wisdom of the world can never replace Your wisdom Amen.
Oh God, my beloved Father, I would like to end the Third Chapter of the Letter of St. James with the following prayer.
Consecrate all the members of our body oh God my Father, especially our tongue for as much as it can do good it can also do a lot of harm. I also pray that You cleanse our minds and heart, for the evil one can mislead us by negative thoughts and feelings. I pray for Your blessings and renewal of spirit for I cannot live without You Amen.
Oh God, my beloved Father, I would like to end the Third Chapter of the Letter of St. James with the following prayer.
Consecrate all the members of our body oh God my Father, especially our tongue for as much as it can do good it can also do a lot of harm. I also pray that You cleanse our minds and heart, for the evil one can mislead us by negative thoughts and feelings. I pray for Your blessings and renewal of spirit for I cannot live without You Amen.
