Mornings are the perfect time to spend with God, setting the tone for your day with peace, joy, and faith. Before the concerns of the day overtake you, take this rare opportunity to focus your heart and mind on Him. Morning prayers allow you to seek guidance, entrust every detail of your day to God, and invite His presence into your life.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, in need of strength, or simply want to draw closer to God, prayer connects you to the One who hears you and cares deeply for you. As you express your dependence on Him for healing, protection, wisdom, and provision, you can rest in the assurance that He has your best interests at heart and will meet you right where you are. Let your morning prayer be a moment of renewal and trust, grounding you in His love and grace for the day ahead.
5 Simple Morning Prayers
Here are a few morning prayers for guidance and protection today:
A Simple Morning Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of a new day. I offer this day to you. May everything I do today be done with love and for your glory. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions, and help me to be a source of kindness and encouragement to others. Amen.
A Morning Prayer of Thanksgiving: Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of this new day. I am grateful for the blessings of life, health, and the opportunity to serve You. Please guide my thoughts, words, and actions today, and may everything I do be in accordance with Your will. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
A Prayer for Strength and Guidance: Heavenly Father, as I begin this day, I ask for Your strength and guidance. Help me to face the challenges ahead with courage and grace. May Your Holy Spirit be my constant companion, leading me in the path of righteousness. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
A Prayer for Peace: Lord Jesus, grant me Your peace this morning. Help me to let go of worry and anxiety, knowing that You are in control. Fill my heart with Your tranquility, and grant me the wisdom to navigate the day with a calm spirit. Amen.
A Morning Dedication: O God, my Creator and Sustainer, I dedicate this day to You. Use me as an instrument of Your love and grace. Help me to be a blessing to others and to reflect Your light in all that I do. May my life be a testimony to Your glory. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
These are just a few examples of morning prayers for Christians. You can choose one that resonates with you or use one as inspiration to create your own morning prayer that suits your supplications to God and your daily needs. Morning prayers help maintain faith and love for God in our hearts and minds throughout the day despite distractions and difficulties.
Discover additional morning prayers below for courage, peace, guidance, and more!
Morning Prayers of Gratitude for a New Day
"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." (Mark 1:35)
Starting each day with a prayer of thanks is an amazing way to express gratitude. God, who is the source of life, blesses us with new opportunities and wonders every day. Therefore, it's crucial to turn to Him and be thankful. A prayer of gratitude helps us to focus on maintaining a joyful spirit, irrespective of any challenges we may encounter during the day.
Expressing gratitude to the Lord in the morning is a beneficial way to keep our focus on what is truly important. It is a powerful reminder of all the blessings we have been bestowed with and the never-ending love that God showers upon us. Here is an example of a morning prayer that you can recite to give thanks for a new day:
Dear God, As the sun rises on this new day, I come before you with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for the gift of this new day and the opportunity it brings. I pray for your guidance and presence throughout the day ahead. Grant me the wisdom to make good choices, the strength to face challenges, and a heart that overflows with love and kindness. Help me to be a source of positivity and encouragement to those I encounter. May this day be filled with purpose, joy, and blessings. I place it in your loving hands, trusting that you will lead me on the right path. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for First Thing in the Morning
Good morning, Lord!
Thank You for a new day. Thank You that Your compassion is renewed every morning. Great is Your faithfulness and Your steadfast love, O Lord! I don’t know what all is going to happen today and how much I’ll get done, but You do. So I give this day to You.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Father. Energize me for Your work, because You know how tired these bones are. Awaken me to the wonder of Your salvation, and quicken my spirit to the reality of Your work in my life.
Lord, my mind is filled with creative ideas, but they’re all jumbled. Holy Spirit, come and hover over my mind like You hovered over the waters at creation and speak order out of the chaos! Help me to cease striving and to trust that You will give me all I need today to do the work You’ve given me to do.
You will be faithful to complete the good work You’ve started, and as I step out into my day, I declare Your sovereignty over every area of my life. I entrust myself to You and ask that You use me however You see fit.
This day is Yours. My body is Yours. My mind is Yours. Everything I am is Yours. May You be pleased with me today. Amen. - Asheritah Ciuciu
Daily Prayer of Thanksgiving
Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives. Thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us when we don't thank you enough for who you are, for all you do, and for all you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, and fill us with your peace and joy. We love you, and we need you this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen. - Debbie McDaniel
Arise and Shine in My Heart
O Lord Jesus, Creator of all things, the light of the glory of the Father in heaven. I thank you for letting me see the light of a new day! Bright Sun of Righteousness, arise and shine in my heart so that I may walk as a child of light as in the day and finally see you in the eternal light of joy everlasting. Amen. ~ Source: Wilhelm Löhe.
Morning Thanksgiving
God, we give you sincere thanks for the rest of the past night and the gift of a new day, with its opportunities to serve you. Grant that we may so pass its hours in the perfect freedom of your service, that in the evening, we may again give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Source: Daybreak Office of the Eastern Church
See more Prayers of Gratitude to give thanks to God!
Photo credit: Getty/Tinnakorn Jorruang
Morning Prayers for Protection This Day
"No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” - Isaiah 54:17
Morning prayers for protection help us remember that God's providence is always present and omnipresent. Nothing is more powerful than God and nothing happens without God allowing it. When we pray for God's protection, we show faith in Him and submission to His will. Blessed are those who seek shelter in God, Who grants the faithful eternal safeguard in His Kingdom.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:1-2
Here is an example of a morning prayer to use for daily protection:
O Lord, our redemption. Be our protection. Direct our minds by your gracious presence. Watch over our paths and guide us with your love through the hidden snares of life.
Fix our hearts on you as we go forward, and following in faith, arrive at your goal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Divine Protection
Father God, as I start this new day, I lift up to you all my cares and concerns, knowing that you are my refuge and strength.
Lord, I ask for your divine protection and guidance over myself and my loved ones. Wrap your loving arms around us, shield us from harm, and guide us safely through the challenges that may arise.
I pray for open doors of opportunity, both seen and unseen. May your wisdom illuminate my path, and may I recognize the opportunities you place before me. Grant me the courage to step through those doors with faith and confidence.
Lord, I seek success, not solely for my own gain but for the greater good. May the work of my hands be a source of blessing to others and a reflection of your grace. Open doors for me to be a source of joy and encouragement to those I meet.
Fill my heart with your peace, your love, and your joy, so that I may radiate your presence to everyone I encounter today. May this day be a testament to your faithfulness and a step toward the purpose you have for my life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
A Prayer for the Morning (Sixth Century)
O God, you have folded back the cover of the night to clothe us in the golden glory of the day. Chase from our hearts all gloomy thoughts, and make us glad in the brightness of hope, that we may effectively aspire to promised virtues; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ Source: An Ancient Collect
Discover more Prayers for Protection to seek God's shelter.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Yaraslau Mikheyeu
Morning Prayers for Strength Today
"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
Life can be difficult, with various trials, tribulations, and even victories that can leave us feeling weak and in need of strength. A powerful morning prayer for strength is essential to help us tackle the day ahead. By asking Our Father in heaven for His strength, we are reminded that we are not meant to face each day alone. We humbly ask for His strength to guide us through the challenges of a new day.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:26
It’s essential to simply ask God to guide, sustain, and grant us the spiritual, physical, and emotional strength to get through each day. It’s amazing what a daily morning prayer like this can do to keep us focused and prepared for whatever comes our way.
Here is a sample powerful morning prayer for strength to tackle the day:
Dear Lord, This daylight, upon waking and getting ready for my day, I pray that You give me strength today to be strong for You in this world full of temptations.
Lord, You know that there are struggles I will go through today. I pray that you are with me as I go through them. Carry me when I am too weak. If I stumble into temptation, forgive me, Father. Lead me away from them, Father. I need Your strength to overcome these evils.
When I triumph against them, I praise you, Father. Without You, I would not have life nor the strength to live. Bless my loved ones with the strength You have given me, Lord. You are worthy of all praise and worship. You are my strength and my protection.
Keep my family and me safe at all times, Lord, especially those in transit this morning. In Your Son Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. (Source: PrayWithMe.com)
A Morning Prayer of Strength
Almighty God, you fill all things with Your presence. In Your great love, keep us near You this day. Grant that we remember You in all we do and have the strength to live by Thy commandments. Help us to love one another as You love us and forgive our sins as we forgive our transgressors, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953
Read more Prayers for Strength for when you feel weak.
Photo credit: © Unsplash/Phil Thep
Morning Prayers for Guidance Through the Day
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
We often seek strength, but it is important to also seek wisdom and discernment. These two elements of the human experience can be found in God, specifically through the Holy Spirit. As we face challenges in life, it is natural and wise to begin each day with morning prayers asking God to provide knowledge and discernment. We can call on the Holy Spirit to guide us throughout our day, helping us navigate through life's experiences.
Here’s a sample of a morning prayer seeking guidance:
Lord God Almighty, we pray for your great mercy, that you guide us towards you. And guide us to your will, to the need of our soul, for we cannot do it ourselves. And make our mind steadfast in your will and aware of our soul’s need.
Strengthen us against the temptations of the devil, remove from us all lust and every unrighteousness, and shield us against our foes, seen and unseen. Teach us to do your will, that we may inwardly love you before all things with a pure mind.
For you are our maker and our redeemer, our help, our comfort, our trust, our hope; praise and glory be to you now and forever. Amen
Prayer For Guidance
O Lord, enlighten our hearts by your holy radiance, Jesus Christ, that we may serve you without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life.
In Him may we survive the storms of this world, and by His guidance reach the country of eternal brightness; through your mercy, O blessed Lord, you live and govern all things, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer For Light to Follow God
O Lord, direct our steps this day into the way of peace and strengthen our hearts to obey your commandments. May the Dayspring visit us from on high and give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, that they may adore you for your mercy, follow you for your truth, desire you for your sweetness, for you are the blessed Lord God of Earth, now and forever. Amen.
Source: Ed. Wilbur Patterson Thirkield, 1918
Read more Prayers for Guidance in times of uncertainty.
Photo: Unsplash/Marcelo Silva
Morning Prayers for Courage
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9
Life often presents various challenges and difficulties. Praying for courage helps Christians confront these challenges with strength and determination. It allows them to persevere in the face of adversity and not be overcome by fear or doubt.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6
Living according to Christian values and ethics can be challenging in a world with differing moral standards. Prayer for courage helps Christians make difficult moral and ethical decisions, even when those decisions may be unpopular or result in personal sacrifice.
Use this prayer to ask for courage each morning:
Lord, grant me tenacious winsome courage as I go through this day. When I am tempted to give up, help me to keep going. Grant me a cheerful spirit when things don't go my way. And give me the courage to do whatever needs to be done. In Jesus' name, Amen. - Dr. Ray Pritchard
Prayers for Courage Throughout the Day
Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by untrodden paths, through unknown perils. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen. — St. Augustine of Hippo
Dear God, please give me strength when I am weak, love when I feel forsaken, courage when I am afraid, wisdom when I feel foolish, comfort when I am alone, hope when I feel rejected, and peace when I am in turmoil. Amen.
Read More: Bible Verses about Courage for Inspiration.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/kieferpix, © Getty Images/Jevtic
Morning Prayers for Your Loved Ones
"Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table." - Psalm 128:3
Starting the day by praying for friends, family, and loved ones is a wonderful selfless act. By asking God for the protection and assistance of others throughout their day, we show our care and concern for their well-being. From parents praying for their children to individuals invoking God on behalf of friends facing a difficult time, morning prayers for loved ones offer inspiration and a sense of eternal perspective. It is a beautiful way to begin the day with positive thoughts and empathy towards others.
Here’s an example of an inspiring prayer for loved ones:
Lord, it is so easy to focus only on my needs, but I ask that You bless those around me (consider inserting specific names). Please help my family to see, feel, and experience Your love. Please protect and heal my loved ones. I thank You for the wonderful people I have in my life and I ask You to guide their paths and to bring them closer to You. Amen
Bible Verses about Prayer
"...I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress." ~ Psalm 59:16
"O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch." Psalm 5:3
"Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
"Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" 1 Thessalonians 5:17-19
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16
Read more Prayers for Family to seek God's mercy for your Loved Ones.
Morning Prayer: Lauds
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. - Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
When we begin our day with prayer, we anchor ourselves in gratitude and align our hearts with God’s Word. It helps us rise above the chaos of life and focus on what truly matters, remembering to "seek first the Kingdom of Heaven." Let your morning devotion be a moment of renewal and trust in the One who holds your day and your future in His hands.
"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." ~ Psalm 143:8
Lauds is a special part of the daily prayer routine, primarily within the Catholic Church, known as the Liturgy of the Hours or the Divine Office. Traditionally prayed in the early morning, Lauds is a beautiful way to start the day with a heart full of praise. The word "Lauds" comes from the Latin "laudare," meaning "to praise," which perfectly encapsulates its purpose. No matter what your denomination background, Lauds can help you form a morning habit of lifting prayers of gratitude and adoration while reflecting on God's purpose for the day ahead.
This prayer service includes various elements such as psalms, hymns, and scripture readings, all designed to help us focus our minds and hearts on God. Two key elements of Lauds is the Canticle of Zechariah, also known as the Benedictus, which celebrates the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises, as well as the Lord's Prayer found in the Gospels, a powerful example of a morning prayer for God's will.
Incorporating Lauds into your daily routine can bring a profound sense of peace and purpose. Whether you are new to this practice or have been praying Lauds for years, each morning offers a fresh opportunity to connect with the divine and start the day with a spirit of praise.
Sample Lauds - Morning Prayer
Opening Verse
Leader: O Lord, open my lips.
All: And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Psalmody
Psalm 95:1-7 Leader: Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
All: Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Leader: For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
All: In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
Leader: The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
All: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
Leader: For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
All: Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
Psalm 63:2-9 Leader: O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting.
All: My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water.
Leader: So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory.
All: For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise.
Leader: So I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands.
All: My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy.
Leader: On my bed I remember you. On you I muse through the night
All: for you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
Leader: My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast.
All: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Hymn
Leader: Let us sing a hymn of praise to greet the new day.
Hymn:
Morning has broken like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing fresh from the Word.
Reading
Leader: A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-3)
"Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Responsory
Leader: Lord, you will open my lips.
All: And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Leader: You have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
All: And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Leader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
All: Lord, you will open my lips. And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus)
Leader: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
All: He has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Intercessions
Leader: Let us bring our needs and the needs of the Church before the Lord.
Leader: For the Church, that she may be a light to the nations,
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: For peace in the world and for the leaders of nations,
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: For those who are suffering or in need,
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: For our community, that we may reflect the love of Christ in all we do,
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer
Leader: Let us pray in the words our Savior gave us:
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Leader: Lord, as we begin this day, fill us with your love and guide us in your truth. Help us to walk in your light and to bring your peace to all we meet. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Blessing
Leader: May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
All: Amen.
Listen to the Your Daily Prayer Podcast for new prayers each morning!
When one season comes to a close, and we see new doors open for our lives, we need space to process grief while simultaneously embracing the joy that comes when we start something new. Subscribe to the Your Daily Prayer Podcast and hear a new prayer on your phone or computer every morning.
Pray through each day of the week:
Monday Morning Prayers
Tuesday Morning Prayers
Wednesday Morning Prayers
Thursday Morning Prayers
Friday Morning Prayers
Saturday Morning Prayers
Photo: Getty Images/DigitalVision/Klaus Vedfelt