Prayer is the best way to start the morning; it helps us to start our day with the right focus. When our day is focused on God, our ever-changing circumstances will not seem so daunting. And when we remind ourselves that Christ is with us and that our lives are for His glory, we will step out our door with our minds on God first and then others. With our minds on God and others, we will think and walk more humbly and we will be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance.
"Prayer is a spiritual journey. Just as a journey from your present location to the other side of the country requires that you have a plan to reach your destination, you need a plan to assist you in your spiritual journey of prayer. Prayer is your personal communication with God. Since this is your spiritual destination every day, you need a plan to help you reach your destination effectively and consistently." -Ronnie Floyd
Here are 17 helpful morning prayers to start your day:
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"Dear Lord, I don't know who or what will cross my path today. But I do know that You are my Rock and my Fortress. You are my Shield and my Strong Tower. Help me to anchor myself to You today. Teach me how to stand strong in You and choose only Your way today. Help me walk by Your truth and not my feelings. Help me to embrace anything that comes my way as an opportunity to see You at work and as an opportunity to point others to You. Thank You that You love me and nothing can ever take that away from me! Even if I fail today and fall short, You whisper Your unconditional love deep into my soul and remind me that Your mercies are new every morning. That truly amazes me, Lord. Thank You for meeting with me today. Would You wake me again tomorrow with the same sweet whisper of Your love? I can't wait to meet with You again. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
- Wendy Blight
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"Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the Word and not my feelings. Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be. Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity... rather than a personal inconvenience. And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, 'Great is your love toward me.' You already see the ways I will fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize Your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all. That's amazing. But what's most amazing is that the Savior of the world would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to forever remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this. Amen."
- Lysa Terkeurst
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"I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." - Psalm 16:8
Dear God,
Thank You for another day.
Please watch over my family and friends.
Thank You!
Amen.
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"Father, my heart is heavy. I feel like I have to carry the burden alone. Words like overwhelmed, distraught, exhausted seem to describe where I am. I am not sure how to let you carry my heavy load, so please show me how. Take it from me. Let me rest and be refreshed so that my heart won't be so heavy in the morning. In Jesus' name. Amen."
- Ron Moore
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
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"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3
LORD,
Give me strength in my weakness.
Give me faith in my fear.
Give me power in my powerlessness.
I'm trusting You.
Amen.
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"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 courage to do whatever needs to be done. In Jesus' name, Amen."
- Dr. Ray Pritchard
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
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A Morning Prayer
God, please enlighten my mind with truth;
Inflame my heart with love;
Inspire my heart with courage;
Enrich my life with service.
Pardon what I have been;
Sanctify what I am;
And order what I shall be.
Amen.
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"Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
- Traci Miles
"If any of your lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
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"I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn't have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me,
And heavier came each task;
'Why doesn't God help me?' I wondered.
He answered, 'You didn't ask.'
I wanted to see joy and beauty
But the day toiled on gray and bleak
I wondered why God didn't show me
He said, 'But you didn't seek',
I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all my keys in the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
'My child, you didn't knock.'
I woke up early this morning,
And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray."
-Author Unkown, This poem, "The Difference," is public domain.
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"Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.'" 1 Chronicles 4:10
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Lord Jesus,
The world is changing so fast. Every day the relays tales of those who disregard law, devise evil, and destroy both people and property. And because of what's happening, fear sometimes rises up in my heart—for me, for those I love, and for people everywhere. Yet I know you are in control.
I ask you today for your supernatural protection, Lord—both personally and globally. Please station angels around my home and family to guard them from danger. Lead us away from temptation, and help us to run from the presence of questionable activities or harmful influences. When we’re weak, help us to look up to you and to hold on tight to the truth that you love us and want the best for us.
In Jesus' precious name,
Amen
Content gathered from "A Prayer for Supernatural Protection" by Rebecca Barlow Jordan.
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I will run to you, Lord, whenever I feel afraid. I know your hand will protect me and lead me into your shadow, Almighty God, where I can rest and be safe. I know that bad things can happen to all of us, but you are always there to bring good out of it. And you’ve promised me that no one can harm my spirit/soul—the innermost part of me that you've destined for eternity. Because I belong to you, you will give me safe passage—all the way to my eternal home.
But while I'm still living in my temporary house on earth, I pray you will not only guard my heart, but also my mind from foolish thoughts and actions. Expose the lies that try to twist the truth. Give me discernment, Lord, and wisdom for the good times, the hard times, and all the in-between-times. Let me never leave home without your protection and without the spiritual armor you've given me.
I place my trust and dependence on you, today, Lord. Like the commander of a great army, you are in control, and you will go to any lengths to ensure the safety of those under your wing of protection. I believe you want good, not harm for my life. And I am asking that you will replace fear with the confident assurance that you are always here with me, protecting me from harm. Others may try to hurt my body, Lord. But they can never destroy my soul. I'm safe with you, Jesus.
In Jesus' precious name,
Amen
Content gathered from "A Prayer for Supernatural Protection" by Rebecca Barlow Jordan.
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When you don't know what to pray, Scripture provides the words for you! Use these prayers from Psalms to guide your request for help from God.
H - "Hear me Lord and answer me for I am poor and needy." Psalm 86:1
The first step is to let God know that you need him and want His help.
E - "Establish my steps in your word." Psalm 119:133
Second, ask God for His direction and for strength to stand firm in His promises.
L - "Let your compassion quickly meet our needs because we are on the brink of despair." Psalm 79:8
We often need help because of our past choices and sin. Ask God to help you focus on his compassion and grace to lift you out of your despair and heart ache.
P - "Protect me God because I take refuge in You. I say to the Lord, You are my Lord, apart from You I have nothing good." Psalm 16:1
Whether it's spiritual protection from Satan's attacks or physical protection, we can come to God and ask Him to be our protector and provider. Seek refuge and lean on God, not your own strength or abilities. God promises to be your refuge if you will let Him!
Content gathered from "A Prayer for God's Help" by Lisa Whittle and "4 Psalms to Pray When You Need God's Help" by Jennifer Rothschild.
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Dear Lord, times are really hard right now and life has really got me down. I don’t know what to do. I ask that You bestow Your wisdom upon me. I don’t want to lean on my own knowledge anymore, because it has let me down so many times. I need to hear Your voice. Give me the discernment to hear Your voice and Your voice alone. Speak to me in the way You know I will hear you best. I also pray for Your Will, Lord. I give You the praise and the glory in my circumstances because I know that I am exactly where You want me. I know this is to teach me something or to help me to grow. No matter what, I trust you and ask You to show what is best in this situation. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Content gathered from "3 Things to Pray When Life Gets You Down" by Carrie Lowrance.
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Father,
I want to worship only You. Take me deeper in my prayer life and in intimacy with You. Help me to walk in Your light and holiness. I want to know You more. “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord” (Psalm 89:15). Give me joy in Your presence and help me to bring joy into the lives of others. “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11). I want to dwell in Your house and gaze on Your beauty. I want to seek Your face. “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple… Hear my voice when I call, O LORD" (Psalm 27:4,7).
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Content gathered from "A Prayer for God's Presence" by Debbie Przybylski.
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Father, I pray that You will visit us, and make Your presence known in my life and in my city. Give me faith to believe that You can change my city through prayer and through acts of love and compassion. Let Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Help me to cultivate Your presence in my life. I choose to partner with You for transformation in my city. Help me to contend for my city in prayer with others. Remove the distractions in my life that keep me from Your presence [Repent of any distractions in your life]. I repent of any pride or personal idols that have taken me away from having you in first place and being completely Yours (Name them one by one - i.e. television material possessions, food, sports, work, etc.]. Take away any luke-warmness in my heart and set me on fire for You. Amen.
Content gathered from "A Prayer for God's Presence" by Debbie Przybylski.
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Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for your good thoughts about me. May my thoughts reflect your truth and nothing else. When I have a negative thought, I pray for your help to quickly recognize it and that You would empower me to focus on what is true, pure, and lovely. Thank You Lord.
In Jesus Christ Name I pray, Amen.
Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:5
Content gathered from "3 Simple Prayers You Need to Pray Regularly" by Christina Patterson.
Read our 9 Good Night Prayers to end your day with peace and thankfulness! And for more daily encouragement, read our 30 Inspirational Quotes that will help you shine your light today!
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