Only the spoken words, with nothing attached

The person making the promise, but not the altar

Everything resting on it is also included

Speak casually, because only the exact wording matters

Use sacred language to make an ordinary promise sound stronger

Treat the vow as private and ignore anything connected to it afterward

Speak with care, knowing the commitment carries responsibility beyond the bare words

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and cannot make myself clean. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you as my Lord and Savior. Give me a truthful heart and a faithful life before God. Amen.

Come to Jesus Honestly

Lord, renew your Church so that our words are honest, our promises are kept, and our worship is reverent. Save us from casual vows and empty religion, and make us trustworthy in every commitment, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Renew Reverence in Your Church

Father, forgive me for careless words, broken promises, and times I have treated serious things lightly. Give me grace to repent quickly, speak truthfully, and keep my word, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Forgive My Careless Words

Thank you, Lord, that you care about the truth of our speech and the holiness of what belongs to you. Thank you for showing that words matter and that reverence matters too.

Thank You for Caring About Our Speech

Pray by naming one promise, vow, or commitment you are about to make. Ask God to help you speak only what you can keep, and to give you wisdom before you say yes.

Pray Before You Promise

Bring to God these concerns: your desire to become more trustworthy; your need for a steady tongue; and a request that your family, church, or friends would handle promises with care and reverence.

Growing in Trustworthy Speech

ὁ{ho###hoh###the one who} οὖν{OON###OON###therefore} ὀμόσας{o-MO-sas###oh-MOH-sahs###having sworn} ἐν{en###ehn###by} τῷ{TO###TOH###the} θυσιαστηρίῳ{thee-see-a-stee-REE-o###thee-see-ah-stee-REE-oh###altar} ὀμνύει{om-NEE-ee###ohm-NEE-ee###swears} ἐν{en###ehn###by} αὐτῷ{af-TO###ahf-TOH###it} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἐν{en###ehn###by} πᾶσι{PA-si###PAH-see###all} τοῖς{TEES###TEES###the things} ἐπάνω{e-PA-no###eh-PAH-noh###upon} αὐτοῦ·{af-TOO###ahf-TOO###it}

Matthew 23:20 — Source TextTAB

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