Are you willing to take your spirituality to the next level? One of the best ways to do that is to develop a daily prayer habit.
Think of it as your spiritual exercise, similar to as you go to the gym to stay fit, regular prayer will keep your soul strong and in tune with the Divine.
The most challenging aspect of prayer is making it a consistent part of our life. But with a little time and planning it is possible to create a prayer routine that works for you and your time. The best part is, you are able to modify it to match your own personality and spiritual tradition.
Life can be busy and it’s easy to let prayer get lost on the priority list. Like everything else that’s worth having, it takes effort and discipline. This is where the creation of the habit of praying comes into. It provides the structure and accountability needed to make sure we are in contact with God on a an ongoing basis.
So, how do you start? It’s the first thing to do is decide the time of day that works best for you to pray. Some prefer to begin their day with prayer while others find it easier to pray before going to getting to bed. Test and see what works best for you.
Once you’ve determined the best time to pray, you can start to build your routine. Here’s an example of a pattern that you can follow daily for morning prayer:
Begin by approaching God, ask for his blessing as you read and meditate.
Take a chapter from the Bible and then meditate on it. It can be done by reading it three or four times, or listing anything it tells you about yourself, examples to follow, commands to follow or promises to keep.
Your prayer should be structured by making confession, adoration, petition, and thanksgiving. Make a prayer for your urgent needs and concerns and then take time to sit in the presence of God.
The great thing about praying is that it can be adapted to suit your needs. Many people might only have a few minutes to spare, while others may have an hours or longer. It’s important making it a constant element of your day-to-day routine. If you fall off a day or two do not fret! Get back on track the following day.
An everyday prayer practice is a great method to begin the new year with a renewed feeling of purpose and connection with the divine. It’s an effective way to begin your day by placing your attention to the Lord and aligning your thoughts and actions in accordance with His plan.
Another method to improve your prayer routine is to enhance it by making it more engaging. Instead of reciting the words, you should try to connect with God at a deeper level. Use your imagination and try to imagine the scenes that are described in the Bible. You can try to imagine the feelings of these characters and place yourself in their position. This can make your time in prayer more personal and meaningful.
You can also try incorporating various forms in your prayer day-to-day routine. For example, try a silent prayers, contemplative prayers, or even writing down your prayers. This will keep your prayer routine from becoming repetitive and provide variety to your spiritual routine.
One of the most effective ways to remain engaged and focused on your daily prayer routine is sharing your practice with others. Find a partner in accountability either a close friend or family member who will be checking in with you and encourage you to adhere to your daily routine. They could even be a part of your prayers and share their own experiences.
Rememberthat the purpose of daily prayer is to deepen your relationship with God and ensure that your actions and thoughts are in line in accordance with His plans. It’s not about perfectionism or following a strict set of rules, it’s about being intentional and consistent in your life of faith. Therefore, make the effort to discover a prayer practice that is a good fit for you and set it as a priority within your everyday life. You’ll be amazed at how much difference it makes on your spiritual growth and overall health.
We have now completed that, let’s take a look at some of our favorite daily prayers:
1. A Morning Prayer for Strength
God, I’m exhausted and I don’t know what time the “race” will end in my life. I feel like I’ve been running forever trying to conquer this trial. Help me to not try to beat my pain, and instead race with endurance the race that you have laid out for me. I know that because of you I am ultimately triumphant over all the challenges in my life. I am certain that nothing can keep me from your unwavering love. I ask you to show me a bit of your unconditional love today; give me the courage to face this trial. I thank you so much for your love for me that never ends! Thank you for the crown of happiness that I will enjoy forever within your kingdom! – Adrian Rogers
2. A Morning Prayer for Courage
Lord, grant me winsome courage as I go through this day. When I’m tempted give up, help me to keep going. Give me a positive outlook in the event that things do not go my way. Give me the confidence to do whatever needs to be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
– Dr. Ray Pritchard
3. Prayer to Seek God Each Day
Father, thank God for the sky and sun, because they both give us an exciting new day and the chance to chase You. Thank You for reminding us that it’s not necessarily easy but we don’t need to carry the hard into the next day. Please forgive us for dwelling on the past and holding onto grudges. Thank You for our hearts that are not free of any limitation as we seek You each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Meg Bucher
4. A Daily Prayer of Rejoice
Father Thank you for your intervention into my world and permitting me to have an intimate relationship with God. Thank you for allowing me to have a personal relationship with. Thank you for your love for me today and forever. Thank you for the blessings you’ve given myself and my entire family. Help us use those blessings to help others. May I live a life filled with joy when I watch you work all around me! In Jesus the name of Jesus. Amen. – Ron Moore
5. For Guidance by the Holy Spirit
Lord, I pray you will move the Spirit more powerfully throughout my daily life. I am aware that any sin can grieve and weaken the voice of the Spirit and I ask for protection against temptations to commit sin. Help me to crave Your Presence more often than I want sin. Help me to grow in the fruits that comes from your Spirit and then walk more closely with Yourself. I pray for guidance from Your Spirit. Let your word and promise always be a constant reminder of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Kenny Luck
6. For God’s Grace Daily
Lord, thank you for your abundant grace, abundant grace. Thank you that we do not need to work for a drop of the powerful flow of grace that flows freely to us now. Thanks for this unexpected and undeserved favor you’ve bestowed on my life. Help me follow the path of your kindness and love. Help me to keep the disciplines I need to meet with you regularly and drink from the water of life. Thank you for your rich love. Amen. – David Mathis
7. A Prayer to Love the Life You Have
God Help me to love my life as it is in the present. Help me see the positive things that I overlook, and help me feel content with my life. Let me be forgiven when I compare myself to others, forgive me for seeking things outside of you and your kingdom. Thank you for loving me just where I am, right where I am. Help me to keep my eyes fixed at you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Nicki Koziarz
8. Prayer Against Distractions Today
As I get ready for the day, help me to remember that I belong to you and I want to behave accordingly. Make sure my feet don’t slip and my mind from wandering to distractions that can take precious energy and time from the most important things you have created for me. I’m so proud to be your child Lord. And I’m thankful for the sacrifice you made for me, rising again on your own new day, so that each day can have the joy of your love, the joy of your Spirit and the delight of knowing that you are with me. – Rebecca Barlow Jordan
9. A Prayer for a Heavy Heart
Father My heart is heavy. I feel as if I’m having to carry this burden by myself. Words like depressed, overwhelmed exhausted and frightened are the words that describe the state I’m in. I am not sure how to let you take on my burden I need you to let me know how. I’ll take it away. I’m going to rest and be rejuvenated so that my heart will not be as heavy the next morning. In Jesus’ name. Amen. – Ron Moore
10. To Focus on God’s Voice
Father, I must listen to You. Today, I make the commitment to start having a daily quiet time. I will listen for Your voice above all of other voices that surround me. Lord, teach me to focus my life around You and help me obey whatever You tell me. In Jesus’ name, amen. – Mary Southerland
11. Rely on God Today
Lord, we today ask for more of Your Holy Spirit to fill our lives. Lord, it can be easy for us to become obsessed with the anxieties which surround us However, we are aware the same way that Your eyes is focused on the sparrow, so also do You care for and see us.
We can learn today to be more reliant on You. Bring us into a greater understanding of the way You work, so that we may gain a greater understanding that all we see with natural eyes is not what it is. We ask today for eyes to be able to see Your hand in all matters and hearts to be open to Your mission. Amen. – Callie Logan
12. Morning Prayer: Walk with God
Dear Lord I love You. Everything I’ve said above is the desire in my heart. I acknowledge that there are times when my actions and reactions betray my love for You. I ask for forgiveness. I thank You for the grace which allows you to see this new day as a new chance to grow closer to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Lysa TerKeurst
13. A Morning Prayer for God’s Guidance
God of my life, please help me remember what a difference it makes to make spending time with You my first priority in the morning. Invigorate me in both my body and spirit every morning with the desire to be with You, and to listen to You speak affirmations, confidence, and wisdom over my mind 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
14.. A Simple Morning Prayer
God I pray that you will illuminate my mind with the truth, ignite my soul with passion and inspire my spirit by courage, and fill my life through service. Forgive me for what I’ve done and cleanse what I am and set the stage for my future. Amen – Author Unknown
15.. A Prayer for the Work Day Ahead
Father, thank you for the many ways that you’ve blessed me especially by this job that pays my bills and puts food on the table. Thank you for the fact that ALL work is important because work is beneficial. Help me bring you glory by my actions and words, as well as by the efforts I make to improve the order in my small area of the globe. Help me see my job as a blessing and not an affront. Help me to have strength and grace to face the most difficult aspects of my job. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. – Renee Davis
16. A Morning Prayer for Cares and Concerns
Our Father is dear to me in Heaven, so much in my life is broken. I have so many concerns and worries that make me feel heavy. While I desire to put my worries on You, I I usually pick them back up again, and they only add to my stress and anxiety. Help me learn to put my worries on You , as I learn what it means to be at peace and trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Chrystal Evans Hurst
17. For Hope Today
God, allow me to hear you say, “I am your hope” over all other voices. Lord, your word says, you are the hope for hopeless therefore I’m running towards you with both hands stretched out and grabbing on to you. Bring me back to optimism and provide me with concrete proof that today hope is an irreplaceable line of spiritual support (Hebrews 6:19-20). God You know the things that are in my heart I am unable to even imagine wishing for. Today, I offer them to you, I am awestruck by them, and I ask you to do so as I am sure that you can accomplish more than I can ever guess, imagine or request in wildest dreams (Eph 3:20). God, you are my faith and I trust in you. Amen. – Wendy can Eyck
18. Courage for the Day Ahead
God I would like to believe in the fact that you’re with me and that I’m known and loved by your love… However, sometimes, it’s difficult. Help me to speak the truth of your Word to myself. Take it from my mind into my soul. I ask you to give me peace and the courage to be an awe-inspiring warrior – for you’ve already won me victory over every obstacle and hurdle. Amen. – Amy Green
19. For a God-Honoring Work Day
Establish the work of my hands by helping me to be productive and patient, focused and sharp. Keep me free of distractions and keep me away from technology that is slowing my work rather than helping it. May your Spirit lead me in my work and help me to be joyful, creative, and worshipful-constantly reminding me of your love and that you’re the reason I have breath in my lungs. Teach me to align my work, family and church life with rest in a manner that would maximize your glory and let me be the best fruitful to further your kingdom.
While I work, fix my gaze at Jesus and his final job on the cross that gave me treasure I couldn’t earn, peace that I could not otherwise experience, and a living faith that will inspire me to work for God’s glory. God. Amen. – Kevin Halloran
God bless you all!