Like many people, I reach for my phone first thing after waking up. What follows are a few precious minutes or hours of my day wasted consuming often harmful content from vapid vanity on social media to demoralizing coverage of tragedies.
Starting the morning on such a sour note spills over the rest of my day. I often find myself feeling negative and dealing with inexplicably bad moods. It’s not always obvious, but such a toxic start takes away from a new day’s pure joy and positivity.
For a long time, this was my morning routine. This was until a particularly nasty nightmare woke me up one morning, and I decided to pray the bad vibes away. Then, I realized just how powerful starting your day with morning prayer can be and how much of a difference it can make.
Four Things I Have Gained from Morning Prayer
I noticed the difference in my days almost immediately and decided to make it a priority and a permanent fixture in my morning routine. I’d be lying if I said that I’ve stuck with it every day. However, as I get more disciplined, the perks of a morning session with God are becoming more apparent.
Let me share four of these benefits with you.
1. It Is a Chance to Express Gratitude
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Morning prayers let me thank God for the many beautiful things He has done, from giving me life to providing me with opportunities to give life meaning. In the process of saying thank you, it becomes apparent how much I must be grateful for.
When you start the day this way, thoughts of inadequacy and feeling like nothing ever works out have less chance of ruining your day.
2. It Renews Hope
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13
One thing I struggled with before starting morning prayers was the constant dark cloud of dread and hopelessness that would hang over me all day. It’s hard not to feel that way if you’re starting your day watching a video covering some global tragedy or consuming empty entertainment.
Praying helped me strengthen my faith and renew hope in God’s power. It reminds me that He is in charge no matter how chaotic things get.
3. It Reminds Me that I Am Not Alone
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
No one marches into battle alone. When you pray every morning, you are reminded of the army of backup through God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Talk about a real dream team.
Having morning prayers to start my day has helped me deal with anxiety and uncertainty. I know that no matter what inconvenience I face throughout the day or whatever challenges come my way, I am not facing them alone.
4. It Strengthens My Spiritual Connection
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:3
Looking back, I see that morning prayers have helped me strengthen my spirituality and connection to god. I’ve conditioned my mind and heart to set God as the number one priority by choosing God first after waking up rather than social media or news feeds.
It may seem trivial initially, especially if you pray a five-minute prayer and then watch a 20-minute video. However, it is a choice that makes a world of difference as it shows you are willing to make God the most important aspect of your life.
Bottom Line Benefits
The beauty of morning prayers is that you can make them whatever you want. They could be a full-on devotional with deep reflection and prayer, or they could be just a quick word to God, thanking Him for life and asking for His blessing and guidance throughout the day.
You might find this easy and straightforward, or you might not always know what to say. If you are ready to start your day off right with a prayer but don’t know what to do, there are many resources out there.
You can start by subscribing to daily morning prayers from Operando. Click this link, and you’ll receive a short prayer in your inbox every morning. These short but powerful tools for communion with God will help you give up daily to Him.
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