Prayer Against Evil Words
Saint Anne, Nubian Wall Painting Fragment from Faras Cathedral, Anonymous, Coptic, 8th Century
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a door round about my lips.
Incline not my heart to evil words: to make excuses in sins.
Pone, Domine, custodiam ori meo, et ostium circumstantiae labiis meis.
Ut non declinet cor meum in verbo malitiae, ad excusandas excusationes in peccatis.
- Roman Missal, Ordinary of the Mass, Offertory Prayers
And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: and the meditation of my heart always in Thy sight. O Lord, my helper, and my redeemer.
Et erunt ut complaceant eloquia oris mei, et meditatio cordis mei in conspectu tuo semper. Domine, adjutor meus, et redemptor meus.
- Psalm 18.15
In my trouble I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips and a deceitful tongue.
Ad Dominum cum tribularer clamavi, et exaudivit me. Domine, libera animam meam a labiis iniquis et a lingua dolosa.
- Roman Missal, Gradual for the Second Sunday after Pentecost (Psalm 119: 1-2)
Notre Dame and Walled City, the Crucifixion and the Virgin, Manuscript, Royal MS 16 F II f. 89r, c. 1492-1500
Immaculate Queen of Peace, pray for us.