Are you willing to take your spiritual journey to the next level? One of the best ways to do that is to establish a regular prayer practice.
Imagine it as your spiritual exercise, similar to as you workout to stay in shape, a daily prayer practice keeps your soul healthy and in tune with the divine.
The most challenging part of prayer is making it a consistent part of our lives. However, with a bit of planning and effort you can develop an effective prayer schedule that works with your lifestyle and schedule. The most appealing part is that you are able to modify the ritual to suit your personal preferences and religious tradition.
Let’s be real, life can be hectic and it’s easy to let prayer get lost on the priority list. But just like anything other thing worth being a part of, it requires effort and discipline. This is where the creation of the habit of praying comes into. It provides structure and accountability to ensure we’re in contact with God on a an ongoing basis.
So, how do you begin? First, you must determine the time of day that works best for you to pray. Some prefer to begin their day with prayer, and others prefer to pray in the evening before going to going to bed. Try it out and discover which method works best for you.
Once you’ve determined the best time for prayer You can begin to build your routine. Here’s an example of a pattern that you can follow daily for morning prayer:
Begin by talking to God and asking for his presence as you read and meditate.
Take a chapter from the Bible and then meditate on the passage. It can be done by reading it three or four times, or listing the things it says about yourself, examples to follow, commands to obey , or promises to claim.
Make your prayer a ritual by praying for adoration, confession prayer, thanksgiving, and petition. Pray for your immediate needs and worries as well as taking time to enjoy God’s presence.
The best thing about the prayer time routine is that it is customizable to fit your needs. For some, you may have only just a few minutes, while others may have an time or even more. It’s important making it a consistent element of your day-to-day routine. And if you miss one or two days do not fret! Get back on track the next day.
A daily prayer practice is a great opportunity to begin this new year feeling a new belief in the purpose of your life and a spiritual connection with God. It’s an effective way to start your day, placing your attention on the Lord and making sure that your actions and thoughts are aligned to His plans.
Another way to increase your prayer practice is to enhance it by making it more engaging. Instead of simply reciting phrases, try engaging with God in a deeper way. Use your imagination and try to picture the scenes described by the Bible. Try to feel the emotions of the characters and place yourself in their shoes. This makes your time of prayer more personal and meaningful.
You can also try incorporating various forms of prayer into your daily routine. For example, try a silent prayer, contemplative prayer, or even writing down your prayers. This will prevent your prayer routine from becoming monotonous and add the variety you need to your spiritual practice.
One of the best ways to stay engaged and focused on your daily prayers is sharing it with other people. Find a accountability partner, a friend or family member who can check in with you and encourage you to adhere to your routine. They may even join you in prayers and share their own experiences.
The goal of a regular prayer routine 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 perfection or following the strict rules, it’s about being deliberate and consistent in your life of faith. Take the time to find a prayer routine that is a good fit for you and incorporate it within your everyday life. You’ll be amazed at the impact it has in your spiritual growth as well as overall wellbeing.
After we’ve completed that, let’s take a look at some of our favorite daily prayers:
1. A Morning Prayer for Strength
Lord, I am tired and I don’t know what time my “race” will end in my life. I feel like I’ve been running for years trying to conquer this trial. Help me not try to beat my pain, and instead race with endurance the race that you have laid out for me. I am confident that because of you, I will be triumphant over all the challenges throughout my journey. I am certain that nothing in this world will ever be able to separate me from your steadfast love. Please show me some of your love today. Give me the strength to stand through this challenge. I thank you so much for your unconditional love for me that never ends! Also, thank me for your crown of happiness which awaits me for eternity with you in the Kingdom of Heaven! – Adrian Rogers
2. A Morning Prayer for Courage
Lord, grant me winsome courage as I go through the day. If I’m tempted to quit, help me persevere. Help me keep a positive attitude even when the circumstances don’t seem to go my way. Give me the confidence to complete whatever must be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
– Dr. Ray Pritchard
3. Prayer to Seek God Each Day
Father, praise You for the sky and the sun, for both remind us of the new day’s challenges and the chance to chase You. Thank You for reminding us that life is not necessarily easy but that you don’t have to carry the pain to each day. Please forgive us for focusing on the past and for holding onto grudges. Bless our hearts to be held back by nothing as we seek You each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Meg Bucher
4. A Daily Prayer of Rejoice
Father, thank you for intervening into my world and permitting me to have a personal relationship with Father, thank you for your intervention and allowing me to be a part of your family. Thank you for your unconditional love for me, today and always. Thank you for the blessings you’ve given me and my family. Let us make use of those blessings to be a blessing to others. May I live a life of true joy as I see you at work around me today! In Jesus’ name. Amen. – Ron Moore
5. To receive guidance From the Holy Spirit
Lord, I pray that you will be able to move the Spirit more powerfully within my own life. I am aware that any sin is likely to cause grief and diminish the Spirit’s voice. Spirit and I ask not to fall prey to sin. Help me to seek Your Presence more often than I crave sin. Help me to grow in the fruits that comes from your Spirit and so walk closer to You. I pray for guidance from your Spirit- let your promises and wills always be a source of meditation for my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Kenny Luck
6. For God’s Grace Daily
Lord, thank for your generous grace that is abounds. Thank you that we do not need to work for a drop from the great stream in grace which flows unreservedly for us today. Thank you for the unplanned generous, undeserved blessing you’ve lavished upon my life. Help me to put myself in the direction of your kindness and love. Help me to not forget the discipline I must keep in contact with you frequently and to take a drink of the waters of life. Thank you for your rich love. Amen. – David Mathis
7. A Prayer to Love the Life You Have
God I ask you to help me appreciate my life as it is in the present. Show me the good things I often overlook and help me be content with my life. Let me be forgiven when I judge myself against others, forgive me for longing for things that aren’t yours and your kingdom. Thanks for being with me exactly where I am, right as I am. Help me keep my focus towards you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Nicki Koziarz
8. Prayer Against Distractions Today
As I start this day, help me to remember that I am a part of you, and my desire is to live in accordance with your will. Keep my feet from stumbling and my thoughts from drifting to distractions that can take precious time and energy away from the most important things you have designed for me. I am proud to be your child, Lord. And I’m so grateful for the sacrifice you made for me, rising from the dead on your new day–so that my every day can become filled with the wonder of your love, the joy of your Spirit and the joy 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 the burden alone. Words like depressed, overwhelmed exhausted and frightened are the words that describe my current state. I’m not sure how to allow you to take on my burden, so please show me how. Take it from me. I’m going to rest and be revived to ensure that my heart doesn’t be as heavy in the morning. In Jesus the name of Jesus. Amen. – Ron Moore
10. To Focus on God’s Voice
Father, I want to listen to You. Today I take the pledge to begin a quiet time each day. I will listen for Your voice over all the other voices that surround me. Lord, show me how to focus my attention on You. Help me follow the words You speak to me. In Jesus’ name, amen. – Mary Southerland
11. Rely on God Today
Lord, we today ask to continue to work with Your Holy Spirit to fill our lives. Lord, it’s easy for us to become obsessed with the anxieties that take over our lives However, we are aware the same way that Your eyes is indeed upon the sparrows, so too are You concerned for and watch over us.
Help us today to be more dependent on You. Give us a deeper awareness of Your ways of working to help us be able to understand that everything we see with our eyes is not what it is. We ask today for eyes to see Your hand in all things and hearts to be open to Your will. Amen. – Callie Logan
12. Morning Prayer to walk with God
Dear Lord I love You. Everything I’ve said above is the desire in my heart. I admit that at times my actions and reactions go against my love for You. I ask for forgiveness. Thank You for Your mercy that is able to recognize the 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
Dear Lord, help me to remember what a difference it makes in my life when I spend time with You an absolute priority in my morning. Bring me back to the body and in my spirit every day with a desire to meet with You and hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance and wisdom to 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, please enlighten my eyes with truth, inflame my soul with passion and inspire my spirit with courage, enrich my life with service. Forgive me for what I’ve done and cleanse what I am and set the stage for what I shall be. Amen – Author Unknown
15.. A Prayer for the Work Day Ahead
Father, I thank you for the many ways that you’ve blessed me especially with this job that provides me with a paycheck and 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 my words, and by the work I do to bring order to my little area of the globe. Help me to see my work as a blessing instead of as a curse. Help me to have strength and grace for the hardest aspects of my work. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. – Renee Davis
16. A Morning Prayer for Cares and Concerns
Dear Father in Heaven I am so grateful to you that my world is badly broken. I have so many concerns and cares that burden me. When I am tempted to cast my cares upon You, I find that I often pick them up and again and they add more anxiety and stress. Help me learn to put my worries upon You while I discover how to relax and trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Chrystal Evans Hurst
17. For Hope Today
Lord, help me hear your voice saying, “I am your hope” over all other voices. Lord, your word declares that you are the only hope for hopeless so I’m running towards you with both hands stretched out and grabbing your hand. Give me optimism and provide me with an actual reminder of the fact that hope is an irreplaceable spiritual lifeline (Hebrews 6:19-20). God You know the things in my heart that I barely dare to hope for. Today, I offer the things I have to you, I believe in you and I ask you to do so because I know that you can accomplish more than I can ever think of, imagine or ask for in wildest dreams (Eph 3:20). God I am your hope , and I trust you. Amen. – Wendy can Eyck
18. Courage for the Day Ahead
God I’d like to believe that you’re there with me and that I am loved and respected by you… but sometimes, it’s difficult. Help me to speak the truth in your Word to myself. Let it flow from my mind to my heart. Bring me peace and courage to live like a conqueror – because you’ve already given me victory over every obstacle and challenge. Amen. – Amy Green
19. For a God-Honoring Work Day
Establish the work of my hands by helping me to be efficient, patient, focused, and observant. Be sure to keep me away from distractions and from technology hindering my work , instead of 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. Help me align my work, family and church activities, as well as rest in a way which will increase your glory , and let me be the best fruitful to further your kingdom.
As I work, I will keep my eyes on Jesus and his final work on the cross which gave me treasure I could not acquire, peace that I could not otherwise be able to experience, and a new hope that will fuel my desire to pursue the glory of God. Amen. – Kevin Halloran
God Bless you everyone!