Prayer for Safeguarding the Tongue
From the Chofetz Chaim
The Sages write in the Talmud that one who [habitually] speaks Lashon HaRah is counted among those that will never behold the countenance of the Shekhina in the World to Come (together with the flatterer, the liar and the jester).
Moreover, keeping one’s speech only to Holy and good things is one of the pre-requisites for Ruach HaKodesh as Rabbi Chaim Vital writes in Sha’arei Kedusha.
This is why the saintly Chofetz Chaim (Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan) composed this short but powerful prayer for all those undertaking to fix their speech:
Master of the Universe, may it be your will, merciful and gracious God, that you give me the merit today of safeguarding my mouth and tongue from slander and gossip and from accepting them.
And I will be watchful of speaking about even a single person, and all the more so of the community of Israel or some of them. And all the more so of calling into question the judgments of the Holy One Blessed Be He.
And I will be careful not to speak words of falsehood, flattery, jest, strife, anger, haughtiness, deceit, shaming, and all forbidden things.
Grant me the merit of not speaking anything except only that which is necessary for the body and spirit and may all my deeds be for the sake of Heaven.
This article was written and published in the zechut of all Emuna Builder Partners. May they have complete emuna and continue in spreading emuna!