“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 59:16).
“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (Psalms 90:14).
Sometimes it’s hard to tell what sort of morning we are going to have until our feet hit the floor. Whether it’s a busy morning, or quiet and slow – start it with prayer. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl – start if with prayer. Whether you need a brisk exercise to get going, or a strong cup of coffee – start with prayer.
If the first thing you do in the morning is spend time talking with the Father, that will set the tone for the rest of your day. He wants to hear from us too! Even if it’s groggy, early morning thoughts, our Father is always glad to hear from us. Below are seven prayers to help you get started, and to jump-start a focused, joyful day.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/champlifezy
1. A Prayer to Start the Day Strong
“Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread” (Proverbs 20:13).
Dear God,
Thank you for blessing me with another day! It is a joy to be given this fresh chance, and I pray that you would help me to get a strong start to this day, even as I wish for five more minutes in bed. God, as I go about my morning routine, and get started on work and chores, I pray that you would give me a happy heart and a focused mind. Lord, give me strength as I tackle a to-do list that never seems to end, and help me to remember to take good moments to rest and relax as well. I pray that you would be ever on my heart today God, no matter what I am doing, and that you would guide my steps throughout the day. Thank you for always providing for my needs! I ask all of this in your name,
Amen.
2. A Monday-Morning Prayer
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for the start of another week, and for the two days of rest that I just enjoyed. God, thank you that you grant us rest and times of Sabbath, but I know that we were not made to rest always. As I prepare my mind and heart for another week of work, I pray that you would give me a joyful heart. In my job, in my family duties, and in my hobbies, I pray that you would help me to be diligent and hardworking. God, truly we can honor you in all things, even the most mundane of jobs. Help me to remember that my work is a blessing and a way for me to serve you and others, no matter what I do. Thank you for my job God, and thank you for a brand new week! I lift all of this up to you,
Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/iprogressman
3. A Prayer on Busy Mornings
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Dear Lord,
I thank you for all of the people in my life, and the opportunities I have to serve and enjoy them. God, I’ll be honest – today is shaping up to be a bit overwhelming and busy. I pray that you would quiet my heart and take away any stress and anxiety. Matthew 6:27 reminds us that worrying can’t add a single moment to our lives, and I pray that you’d help me remember this today in my busyness. But I also ask that you would give me joy, God! Help me to enjoy the things and people around me and remember to take time to just breathe. God, even if everything doesn’t get done, or if something unexpected happens, I know that you will still be glorified, and that you are still good. Thank you that you are in control of the busy days, and I ask all of this in your name,
Amen.
4. A Prayer for Hard Days
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28).
Heavenly Father,
God, I know that in all things you are good, and you care for us. But Lord, my heart is very heavy today, and it’s shaping up to be a really hard day. I’m really worried/upset about ________. Please quiet my heart and remind me that you are always in control. Help me to seek rest and peace in you, because I know that I won’t find the same comfort anywhere else today. Only you can quiet my heart and comfort me on days like this God, and I know that you want nothing more than to wrap me in your arms. Remind me of the ways you have been faithful and loving before. You are my Good Father, and I know that you are listening and that you care. I lay this situation at your feet God. Please help me to leave it there.
Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages
5. A Prayer for Exciting Days
“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Psalm 103:1).
Dear God,
Today is such an exciting day and I first want to just thank you for that! I’m so excited about _________ and I know that it is part of your good plan for me. Thank you, God, for orchestrating things to bring this about, and for giving good gifts to your children. As I go about this day, with all the excitement and joy, I pray that you would remind me that every good and perfect thing comes from you. I also ask that you could use this day to help me spread your love and joy to others. As I am happy and excited about today, I pray that you would put people in my path with whom I can share that excitement and the hope of your gospel. God, please give me energy for this big day, and help me to finish it out strong. I love you God, and thank you again for this bit of joy. In your name I pray,
Amen.
6. A Prayer for Rainy Mornings
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Father in Heaven,
Thank you for this rainy morning. It may make it a bit harder for me to get going and stay focused, but the rain truly is a reminder that you care for us, God. I ask that you’d help me to remember that the rain brings growth and new life. When I have my own personal “rainy days,” when things seem bleak and difficult, I pray that you’d remind me of this truth as well. Help me to see that you are truly working all things out for our good and your glory, Lord. On this wet day, as things may be a bit more slow and peaceful, I ask that you’d give me space to meditate on this truth and see the beauty in the rain. Thank you for always loving us God, and providing what we need, even when we are undeserving of your grace and mercy. I humbly ask all of this in your name,
Amen.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Nghia-Le
7. A Weekend Prayer
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns” (Exodus 20:8-10).
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the weekend! It is such a blessing and joy to have this time to rest from my labor, as you rested after shaping the world, God. Thank you for giving us this space to take a deep breath and rest physically, but also to rest spiritually on Sunday morning. I ask God that you would help me to take this time of rest seriously. Help me to remember your command of Sabbath when things start to look too busy. God, if there is anything in my weekend that you need me to say no to, in order to make better space for rest, please reveal that to me. I also humbly ask that as we rest on this Saturday, that you would be preparing our hearts and minds for Sunday morning. It is a blessing and honor to gather with your Church, and I pray that you would fill us up, so that we can wake up on Monday ready to tackle another week. Thank you Lord, that you care about us enough to give us the gift of rest. I ask all of these things in your name,
Amen.
Read more morning prayers:
- A Prayer for a Good Day
- Prayer for a New Day
- 5 Best Morning Prayers to Begin the Day
- 30 Morning Prayers to Start the Day with God
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes