Starting the day off well is essential for many of us. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that the first few minutes of the day shape how the next 24 hours will play out.
If I wake up frazzled and overwhelmed, my day is likely to feel rushed.
If I wake up fearful and anxious, my thoughts tend to linger in the unknown.
But when I wake up joyful and confident in the Lord? Well, there’s no guarantee I’ll have a great day, but I generally feel a sense of peace and calm.
The way you start the day is important.
What if we all spent the first (and I mean very first) moments of the day praying?
I’m talking a short, 30-second prayer you can pray as you hop out of bed and walk to the coffee maker.
I’ve included 5 prayers below – prayers you can pray at the beginning of your day.
Would you orient your mind to the ways & purposes of God this morning? Tomorrow morning? Every morning for the next month?
I encourage you to try it & watch as your heart becomes more and more attuned to our God.
#1 – A Prayer for Your Attitude
“Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank you for the opportunity to be your witness. I thank you for your provision, your love, and your grace. My attitude shapes my day, Father, and I ask that you would grant me an attitude of joy and patience, peace and thanksgiving. I ask that my attitude would bless those around me for your glory. All in all, I want to be about you and I desire that my attitude reflect this. Thank you for your work in my life. I praise you today! Amen.”
#2 – A Prayer to Give God the Glory
“Heavenly Father, your ways are mighty, powerful, fueled by love and grace. You conquer battles and defeat strongholds and hold my life in your palm. I am grateful – ever grateful – for your ways. I give you the glory today, God. I give you glory for your creation, your provision, your comfort, your presence. I give you glory for working in my heart, blessing me with family and friends, and holding my hand through moments of fear. I give you the glory because you deserve all praise, Father. Thank you for Jesus – the ultimate display of your glory! Amen.”
#3 – A Prayer for a Peaceful Day
“Lord, I wake up feeling anything but peace. Today is busy, overwhelming, scary, and unknown. Yet, I know I can trust you. You promise in John that you will give us your peace and truth in the form of the Holy Spirit. Please do that for me now. Please fill me with your indescribable peace so that I may go throughout this day without fear or anxiety. I submit this day to you, asking that you would go before me and behind me. Thank you that you are trustworthy, and that you care for your children. Thank you for the promise that you will grant “peace that surpasses all understanding.” Amen.”
#4 – A Prayer of Thanksgiving
“I praise you, Father! I praise you for sunshine and rain, flowers and trees, beautiful creation that reminds me of you. I praise you for making me in your image. I praise you for working all things out for your glory. I praise you for grace, for your presence, for your authority. God, you are worthy of all praise! Send reminders my way throughout this day of your great power and majesty. You are good, God, and your love endures forever. Thank you for your promises and your covenant with your children. Orient my heart to praise you all day long! Amen.”
#5 – A Prayer for Awareness of God’s Presence
“Lord, I must admit that I do not feel your presence today. Yet, I desire to walk closely beside you all day long. Please send your Spirit to move in me, to guide my steps, to direct my heart. I ask for your presence to be with me all day long – as I sit, play, work, eat, sleep, read, cook, etc. Your presence brings a comfort and a peace unlike anything else. Clear away anything that is hindering me from feeling your presence, and forgive me of all sin that blocks me from hearing you. Be my guide today, Lord. Amen.”
The goal is not necessarily to pray all five prayers every morning – although you can do so if you choose.
The goal is to spend the first 30 seconds to a minute of your morning praying one of the prayers above. The prayer can change based on your attitude, your schedule, your needs, your fears, etc.
Start the day well, friend.
Start the day with God as your King & watch as His plans for you unfold before your very eyes!
Latest posts by Alison Tiemeyer (see all)
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Love these ideas, Alison!
Thanks for sharing them so practically with us!
Thank you, Melanie!
Yes, these are great ideas! My first prayer of the day is always a bit groggy (I pray right after I hit the snooze button) but I do believe it starts the day right. Thanks for sharing this.
I’m with you, Dawn. Groggy or not, God hears and loves it when we start our day with Him!
I agree with you 100%. My day always goes better with prayer first thing. God bless you and thanks for sharing ?
Denise, thanks for commenting. I agree with you. It helps the overall attitude of my heart!
I really liked your suggested prayers, Alison, and also the categories you listed and fully agree that beginning our day with prayer can change our whole attitude for the day and give us the strength to fight and overcome the many trials and temptation that we will face. It’s a joy to be an overcomer through Jesus Christ.
I shared your post with others and also printed out a few copies.
Grace and Peace, Gail
http://www.bibleencouragement.org
These prayers express the desires of my heart. I try to also recite a memorized scripture also at this time like the beginning of Psalm 103 or Psalm 100.
Beautifully said.
THANK YOU FOR THESE PRAYERS. JUST WHEN I FELT GOD MUST BE BORED WITH MY SAME OLD DAILY PRAYERS ALWAYS ASKING AND NOT PRAISING AS MUCH .I FOUND YOUR SITE AND AM SO RELIEVED BECUASE IT FILLS MY HEART AND SPIRIT TO PRAISE IN A NEW BETTER WAY . I HOPE YOU CAN GIVE US MORE WAYS TO PRAISE , GOD BLESS YOU
Very nicely written. I will use these with my students! Thank you