8 Morning Prayers for Motivation to Transform Your Day

8 Morning Prayers for Motivation to Transform Your Day

Need motivation when you wake up that will transform your day? There is no better source than the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I pray that before your feet hit the floor in the morning, they are first on your mind, and praise and adoration are on your lips. They are waiting to commune with you and remind or lead you to Biblical truth that will inspire you to think and act your best.

“God, thank you for this day, amen,” is definitely communicating with God. But we miss so much of the richness of our relationship with Him when we don’t base our prayers on what He has already said and done in His word. His character and promises shine through in every chapter, and we would do well to spend much time praying with an open Bible. Because “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Let’s look at ways to transform your day from anger, anxiety, depression, envy, pride, and faithlessness with God’s word, which “is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Each prayer is based on a variety of Scripture verses, and a list of Bible verses to reflect on each day are included at the end of the prayer.

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  • Angry couple, morning prayer for anger

    A Morning Prayer When Anger Gets the Best of You

    Most merciful Heavenly Father,

    Thank You that I can approach Your throne of grace and mercy because of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. Lord, please help me change my heart because I woke up remembering my anger toward someone. Jesus said that if we have anger against anyone,  it’s the same as committing murder in our hearts. Please forgive me for being angry because I have no right after what You’ve done for me. Can You make me a person after Your own heart and help me see that person as You do? If You can forgive me my trespasses, I need to forgive the trespass of others.

    Holding on to this anger is like having a heart of stone. Lord, will You please help me turn it into a heart of flesh? The enemy of my soul is baiting me into this rage while he tries to steal, kill, and destroy my witness. Please make me more like Jesus as I commit this day to You and release my anger into Your hands. Thank You for loving me despite my shortcomings. I truly do not want to be quickly provoked in my spirit. Thank You for being with me all day long; I know You walk with me as my Shepherd, and I trust that You will not lead me into temptation but deliver me from evil. It’s in Jesus’ name, I pray.

    Bible Verses for Deeper Study: Hebrews 4:16, Matthew 5:21-22, 1 Samuel 13-14, Matthew 6:12-13, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Ecc. 7:19.

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  • Woman lying awake in fear, morning prayer when fear overwhelms

    A Prayer for When Fear Grips You

    My Abba Father,

    It feels as if my whole spirit, soul, and body are filled with anxiety this morning. So, I remind myself of the many things that you have said about not being afraid. First and foremost, You are the Creator of the world and the Creator of me, and You promise never to leave me or forsake me. You said that You are near the brokenhearted and save those crushed in spirit. You said through the prophet Isaiah, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not afraid or dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

    I am so grateful to belong to You because of Jesus’ sacrifice for me on the cross. Thank You for inspiring King David and others to write songs about You being our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Thank You that the angel of the Lord encamps around those who revere Him. Thank You that I can put on the armor of God to protect me from the work of the enemy. You will supply all of my needs according to Your riches in glory. And one day, You will take me to be with You where there is no fear. Help me fix my eyes on Jesus, who promised peace in Him. I pray in the name of Jesus, who forgives all my sins.

    Bible Verses for Deeper Study: Psalm 139:13, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 34:7, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 12:2.

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  • suffering women to illustrate article on theodicy, morning prayer for sadness

    A Prayer When Sadness Overwhelms You

    My merciful Lord,

    I wake up with a heavy heart today and many days, feeling such sadness that I find it hard to get out of bed. My thoughts trouble me, and I’m in such distress. So I come to You today and ask You to renew my mind as only You can. You know everything about me (You knit me together in my mother’s womb), so You know what I need to be filled with Your joy. I am so lost, Father, but Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, so I will read about others who struggled and who You never abandoned because of their feelings. I know You want me whole and to make me a trophy of Your grace. Please help me increase my faith that Your will is best in my life.

    Thank You that I don’t have to do this alone—that You promise never to leave or forsake me. Thank You that my help comes from You so my soul does not need to be downcast. Lord, I would have even greater despair if I didn’t understand that Y your mercies are new every morning. But we are people who should always have hope because You always listen when we cry out to You. Because You are for us, no one and no thing can succeed against us. Help me to feel that to the deepest depths of my heart. All this I ask in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

    Bible Verses for Deeper Study: Psalm 55:2, Psalm 139:13-14, Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 42:5, Romans 8:31.

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  • Jealous woman, morning prayer to avoid envy

    A Prayer for When Envy Rules My Mind

    Heavenly Father,

    You know that from the world’s perspective, I have every “right” to envy those whose lives are better than mine. People who aren’t sick or have money or family problems. When I spend any time on social media, I see “perfect” people. But Lord, they are not my God—You are. You supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory. Earth truly has nothing I desire as much as I desire You. And Your commandments tell us not to be envious of anyone or anything, so why would I waste my time?

    But Lord, it’s still hard. Will You please help me keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of my faith? Will You help me to remember that You are my source of light and life? I’m ashamed that I could even think of lack when Jesus died a horrific death on the cross for me. Lord, I lay these thoughts at Your feet and ask that You help me renew my mind. In the most precious name of Jesus, I pray.

    Bible Verses for Deeper Study: Philippians 4:19, Psalm 73:25, Exodus 20:17, Hebrews 12:2, Romans 12:2.

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  • haughty man pointing to himself with prideful expression, a prayer to avoid pride

    A Prayer for When Pride Rears its Ugly Head

    My most gracious Heavenly Father,

    I come to You on my knees, admitting what You already know in Your omniscience. I have been prideful and have congratulated myself on the things You have given me.

    Sometimes, it’s my accomplishments, and sometimes, it’s the accolades family members have gotten because of my help. But putting myself first in anything is so wrong. Right now, all I can think about is what Jesus did for me on the cross to reconcile me to You, and I’m ashamed of my pride.

    Thank You, Lord, that You are the God who always shows mercy. You know we are but dust, and we make mistakes. Thank You for never giving up on us, but You’ve warned us that pride goes before destruction, so Lord, I lay it all down and ask You to show me how to lift up others instead of myself. I know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, so I will commit all my reverence to You to gain wisdom and not sin against You.

    Bible Verses for Deeper Study: Isaiah 30:18, Psalm 139:1, Psalm 103:13-14, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 9:10-12.

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  • woman looking deeply thoughtful and concerned alone at night, a prayer for when it's hard to believe

    A Prayer For When It’s Hard to Believe

    My dear Lord,

    I come to You this morning struggling with life. I’m dealing with things that take my attention away from You. If I’m honest, sometimes, I don’t want to pray because I don’t like what You allow in my life. But nothing could be more wrong. I need You, Abba. I need to feel that You are hiding me in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed. While I know You understand my pain, You also want me to exercise my faith and to be like Abraham, who, against all hope, in hope, believed.

    I feel like a disciple to whom Jesus has asked why I don’t have more faith based on what I’ve seen Him do. I’m sorry, Lord, for not seeing all the millions of miracles and mercies every day around me. Lord, please help me be strong and courageous and see everything as coming from Your hand. You work all things together for my good and Your glory, and I want to keep that in the front of my mind. I want to be an oak of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. Thank You for another chance. In the holy name of Jesus, I pray.

    Bible Verses for Deeper Study: Psalm 17:8, Romans 4:18, Joshua 1:9, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 61:3.

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    Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance writer and copy editor who prayed for years for a way to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing more than 1,500 articles in addition to marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is too short to write about anything else. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a large healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the original Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her writer daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not always in that order).