Shirlee Abbott

Misusing My Voice

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

One of the 10 Commandments is all about our choice of words.

Exodus 20:7 (NLT)
You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

“Oh my God” should be a prayer. When it’s not, I’m misusing God’s name.

Good morning, Lord. Your name is holy, and yet we use it as an expression of surprise, as a swear word, as an exclamation point. May I be sensitive to the sound of Your name, to cringe when Your name is misused. Put Your name on my lips, always as a word of honor and not derision. Teach me to pray for those who dishonor Your name, knowing the day will come when every knee shall bow at the sound of Your mighty name.

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Lying Lips

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 120:2 (ESV)
Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.

Deliver me from lying lips — my own and those of others.

Good morning, Lord. I don’t like it when people lie to me, and I know I shouldn’t lie. But I do! Forgive my face-saving falsehoods, my prideful exaggerations, my half-truths, the fibs I speak to just get along, the lies I tell myself to simply feel better.

Help me discern truth from lies — coming from the mouths of others and from my own mouth. Teach me to tell the truth — honestly, humbly, gently, obediently.

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A Mouth Full

Posted on June 17, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 34:1 (ESV)
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

What fills my mouth?

- - - Junk food
    - Gossip
    - Sarcasm
    - Small talk
    - Praise to God

I’m aiming for more of the praise, less of the rest.

Good morning, Lord. My mouth is rarely empty … may my praise outweigh my complaints, my prayerful requests outnumber my foolish daydreams, my gratitude exceed my demands, my encouragement overshadow my criticism, snippets of Scripture prevail over worldly desires. Fill my mouth with messages for and from You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged a mouth full, praise, Psalm 34:1 | 4 Comments

Good Words

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

“Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from Thee.”
Frances Havergal, 1874
From the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be”

Sing to God, speak of God.

Good morning, Lord. So many words come out of my mouth every day. How many praise You? How many please You?

Forgive my cranky, judgmental, complaining, prideful words. Pour Your Word into my soul so that my mouth overflows with words of hope, encouragement, gratitude and humility. May my lips speak good words, in Jesus’ name.

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Frances Havergal, good words, lips, Take My Life and Let It Be, voice | 2 Comments

Stumbling Feet

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

I stumble when I hurry, when I don’t pay attention, when I’m on uneven ground.

Psalm 17:5 (NIV)
My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.

I want to avoid stumbling — physically and spiritually. I want to step forward in faith.

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes my steps are shaky, sometimes I stumble and fall. Don’t let those mishaps send me to my couch — isolation may feel safe, but it’s lonely and unproductive. Enable me to walk boldly, knowing You’ve got my hand. Teach me to step out in obedience, trusting in You for the strength to keep moving forward. Steady my feet and my resolve, in Jesus’ name.

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Rushing Feet

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 6:16, 18 (NIV)
… the Lord hates …
feet that are quick to rush into evil.

Don’t rush ahead blindly. Stop. Think.

Good morning, Lord. I want to be slow to step into evil, quick to do Your will. Show me the difference. Help me understand that good intentions aren’t enough and the end doesn’t justify the means. Slow me down, train me to consider the unintended consequences of my actions. Teach me to stop and think before I make my move. Grant me discernment.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged feet, Proverbs 6:16-18, rush to evil, unintended consequences | Comments Off

Dirty Feet

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 40:2 (ESV)
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

Slimy pit or solid rock, which to choose?

The answer is obvious.

Good morning, Lord. When my feet are grimy from wallowing in the muck, You pick me up and clean me off. When I’m stuck in the mud, You push me out. When I’m a mighty mess, You wrap Your arms around my filthy rags. You aren’t afraid to get Your hands dirty for my sake, God. Thank You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged dirty feet, Psalm 40:2, secure steps, slimy pit | Comments Off

Feet in Step

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 1:1 (NIV)
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked.

I want to blessed, head to toe. My feet have to be headed in the right direction for that to happen.

Good morning, Lord. Guide my feet, keep them on the narrow road. I want to follow You, O God, and not the crowd. When evil calls and I’m tempted to step off the path of righteousness, pull me back. When the trail is rocky, light my way. When it’s scary, hold my hand. When I’m tired, give me rest. I want to walk in step with You, show me the way.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged feet, path of righteousness, Psalm 1:1, walk in step, walk in the way of the wicked | Comments Off

My Feet

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

“Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.”
Frances Havergal, 1874
From the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be”

The words of this hymn are based on Scripture:

Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
How beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
    who bring good tidings,
    who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
    “Your God reigns!”

Good morning, Lord. I don’t like the way my feet look, but they’re beautiful in Your eyes. They no longer move quickly, but they can be quick to answer Your call. I can carry words of peace and good news wherever my feet take me. Teach me to step out in prayer and praise, knowing You are with me wherever I go.

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged beautiful feet, Frances Havergal, Isaiah 52:7, Take My Life and Let It Be | 1 Comment

Working Hands

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 90:17 (ESV)
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

What sort of work has God established for my hands? Honest work, creative work, helpful work. Sometimes it is dirty or heavy work. Sometimes it is light or quick work. It’s always good work.

Good morning, Lord. Put my hands to work according to Your plan. Stop me short when I start to do the wrong work — hurting others, blocking progress, destroying what is right and good. Strengthen my hands when the work is hard. Grant me a gentle touch when the work involves others. Give me firm hands in moments of panic. May I do good and not harm all the days of my life (Proverbs 31:12).

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged good work, Proverbs 31:12, Psalm 90:17, work of our hands | Comments Off