I hate gossip. I pray God delivers me from ever indulging myself by dabbling in it. It is a sign and a practice of the weak psyche that needs to bolster itself up by bringing other people down. In a way it is murder – murder of the reputation and character of the person being gossiped about. May I be strong in the Lord and bring all my hurts and grievances to Him, for He alone knows the end from the beginning. He works all things out, even the sinful and hurtful things for His divine glory and He will deliver me from all ill.

Let me be strong to bear those around me before the mercy seat and pray the power of God to intervene and bless. Let me wish the best for those who hurt and exclude me and let me rejoice in God my Saviour. This will strengthen my heart and give me a heart like His heart.

I pray for a holy hatred of sin in my own life especially, and seek to live a godly life of holiness and devotion to the Lord. May He be my prime go-to and not the fleshly desire to have people who agree with me or bolster up my ego by agreeing with my point of view. Gossip hurts all the people involved in it and is no good for us. We have friends but they are not true friends if they just reinforce our bad attitudes and craven point of view. Friends should share the good things of God and build each other up in faith. We reach out to each other in love and encourage each other along the heavenly way.

At the beginning of this New Year may we resolve to only speak words of peace and mercy to those around us who struggle. May we live and speak like our Saviour, Jesus, and cast off every form of evil that enters our psyche. We do have a choice so let us choose wisely and in holiness for the Lord. Let us hate what is evil and cling to what is good that His holy name is exalted each day by those around us.