Ecclesiastes 5:5

It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
Dear Heavenly Father,
How you have taught us that one small act of obedience is more pleasing to you than any grandiose promise that is never kept. And yet we your children vow to be better spouses, parents and children. We vow to work harder and do whats right, we pledge to quit the habits that are destroying our lives. And yet we fail time and time again. That which was voluntarily spoken from our lips which we promised to keep we have reneged. Although our hearts intended to show love and commitment to You our great God and King and to those in our lives, all the while thinking it would develop godliness in us, it has not. Oh, Father the freeing words Your precious and wise Son spoke "Let your yes be a yes and your no be a no". He warned us, for whatever is more than these is from the evil one. Father I pray by the power of Your Holy Spirit living within Your sons and daughters we would not let our mouths cause our flesh to sin for in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. You Lord take no pleasure in those who do all the right things for all the wrong reasons. I pray Lord Jesus for restrained lips and not to be rash with my mouth, let my words be few and well spoken. Let us heed the warning; a fool's voice is known by his many words. Lord Jesus forgive us as you have forgiven those who have gone before us. Like Peter who vowed to never deny You yet in his human frailty did so three times. Oh Lord, may we walk humble with You, listening closely and following in obedience doing the things that You desire for us to do. Ah, to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive Your holy Word with understanding. The fear of You Lord is the beginning of of knowledge, but it is the fool who does not stand in awe and reverence of You. Father I pray for Your church that it shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water bring forth its fruit in its season, who leaf will not wither and what ever it does will prosper. Rising up to let our yes be a yes and our no be a no. Father by Your Spirit keep us firm, not making vows, plans, promises we can not or should not keep. Jesus may our love and devotion be pure in simplicity, humble in service and peaceable in every offering. Thank You Lord for chastening those whom You so dearly love. In Your precious and beautiful name Jesus I pray, Amen.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23, Matthew 5:37, Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 and Proverbs 1:1-3