Are you willing to take your spiritual life to the highest level? One of the best ways to do that is to establish a regular prayer routine.
Consider it your spiritual workout. Just as you go to the gym to stay in shape, regular prayer keeps your soul healthy and connected to the Divine.
The most difficult aspect of praying is making it a constant part of our daily lives. However, with a amount of planning and effort it is possible to create your own prayer routine that is suitable for you and your time. The greatest part is that you can customize it to match your own personality and your spiritual beliefs.
Let’s be real, life is hectic and it’s easy to let prayer get lost on the priority list. However, just like everything else worth having, it takes dedication and discipline. This is where the creation of the habit of praying comes into. It provides an order and accountability to ensure we’re connected to God on a an ongoing basis.
So, how do you begin? The first step is to figure out what time of day is the most suitable time to pray. Some prefer to begin their day with prayer, while others prefer to pray in the evening before going to bed. Test and see what works for you.
Once you’ve identified the ideal time for prayer then you can begin building your daily routine. Here’s an example of a pattern that you can follow daily for morning prayer:
Begin by addressing God and asking for his help as you read and meditate.
Read a passage from the Bible and reflect on it. This can be accomplished by reading it three or four times, or listing everything it reveals about yourself or examples to follow, commands to obey or promises to claim.
Make your prayer a ritual by making confession, adoration, petition, and thanksgiving. Pray for your needs and pressing concerns and then take time to enjoy God’s presence.
The great thing about a prayer routine is that it’s customizable to fit your needs. Many people might only have a few minutes to spare and others could be able to devote a whole time or even more. It’s important that you make this a regular element of your day-to-day routine. If you don’t make it through a day or two, don’t sweat it! Just get back on track the following day.
A daily prayer practice is a great opportunity to begin the new year with a fresh feeling of purpose and connection with the divine. It’s an effective way to begin your day by keeping your eyes upon the Lord and aligning your thoughts and actions to His plans.
Another way to increase your prayer routine is to enhance it by making it more interactive. Instead of simply reciting words, you should try to connect with God in a deeper way. Make use of your imagination and try to picture the scenes described within the Bible. Make an effort to experience the emotion of each character and place yourself in their shoes. This can make your time in prayer more personal and meaningful.
Try incorporating various forms of prayer into your routine. For example, try silent prayer, contemplative prayer, or even writing your prayers. This can keep your prayer routine from becoming repetitive and provide some variety to your daily spiritual routine.
One of the most effective ways to stay engaged and focused on your daily prayers is sharing the practice with other people. Find an accountability partner, a friend or family member who can check in with you and help you to keep to your routine. They may even join you in prayer and share their own experiences.
The goal of a daily prayer practice is to strengthen your relationship with God and align your thoughts and actions to His plan. It’s not about perfection or adhering to an unwritten set of guidelines, but rather being intentional and consistent in your life of faith. Take the time to create a routine of prayer that works for you and make it a priority in your day-to-day life. You’ll be amazed at the difference it can make for your spiritual development and overall health.
After we’ve completed that, let’s check out some of our most-loved daily prayers:
1. A Morning Prayer for Strength
Lord, I am exhausted and don’t know what time the “race” will end in my life. I feel like I’ve been running forever trying to beat this obstacle. Help me quit trying to run away from my pain, and instead race with endurance the race that you have set before me. I know that thanks to you I am ultimately triumphant over all the challenges throughout my journey. I am certain that nothing in this world can keep me from your unwavering love. I ask you to show me a bit of your affection today; give me the strength to stand through this test. I thank you so much for your devotion for me that never ceases! Also, thank you for the crown of happiness that awaits me forever in your Kingdom! – Adrian Rogers
2. A Morning Prayer for Courage
Lord, grant me tenacious amazing courage as I journey through this day. When I am tempted to quit, help me keep going. Give me a positive outlook when things don’t go as planned. And give me the courage to do whatever needs to be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
– Dr. Ray Pritchard
3. Prayer to Seek God Each Day
Father, thank You for the sky and the sun, as both remind us of the new day’s challenges and the chance to pursue You. Thank You for reminding us that the journey isn’t necessarily easy but we don’t have to carry the burden into each new day. Please forgive us for focusing on the past and keeping grudges. Thank You for our hearts that are not free of any limitation when we seek You every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Meg Bucher
4. A Daily Prayer of Rejoice
Father Thank you for your intervention in my life and allowing me to have a personal relationship with God. Thank you for allowing me to have a personal relationship with. Thank you for the love you have for me, today and always. Thank for the blessings that you’ve bestowed to myself and my entire family. Let us make use of those blessings to be a blessing to others. May I live a lifetime of true joy as I watch you work all around me! In Jesus the name of Jesus. Amen. – Ron Moore
5. To receive guidance by the Holy Spirit
Lord, I pray you will be able to move the Spirit more strongly within my own life. I know that any sin is likely to cause grief and diminish the Spirit’s voice. Spirit and I pray for protection against temptations to commit sin. Help me to seek Your Presence more often than I want sin. Help me grow in the fruits from the Spirit and then walk more closely with Yourself. I ask for direction from your Spirit- let your promises and wills always be a meditation of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Kenny Luck
6. For God’s Grace Daily
Lord, we thank you for your abundant grace, abundant grace. Thank you that we don’t need to work for a drop of the powerful stream in grace which flows freely to us right now. Thanks for this unexpected, unmerited favor you’ve showered upon my life. Help me follow the direction of your kindness and love. Help me to keep the disciplines I need to 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 Help me to love the life I live today. Let me know the good things that I tend to overlook and help me be content with my life. Please forgive me when I think I am comparing myself to others, forgive me for wanting things that aren’t in your kingdom. Thank you for loving me exactly where I am, right as I am. Help me keep my eyes towards you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Nicki Koziarz
8. Prayer Against Distractions Today
When I begin my day, help me remember that I am a part of you, and my desire is 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 so grateful for the sacrifice you made for me, rising again on your own new day, so that each day would be filled with the beauty of the love you have for me, the joy of your Spirit and the delight of knowing you. – Rebecca Barlow Jordan
9. A Prayer for a Heavy Heart
Father I am so sad and burdened. I feel like I have to carry the burden alone. Words like overwhelmed, devastated exhausted and frightened are the words that describe my current state. I am not sure how I can allow you to take on my burden Please help me understand. Let me take it off. Allow me to rest and become refreshed so that my heart won’t be so heavy in the morning. In Jesus’ name. Amen. – Ron Moore
10. To Focus on God’s Voice
Father, I must be heard from you. Today, I make the commitment to begin an hour of silence each day. I will seek Your voice above all of other voices in my life. Lord, teach 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, today we pray to continue to work with Your Holy Spirit to be present in our lives. Lord, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the worries that surround us in life We know that just as Your gaze is indeed at the sparrow so do You look after and look out for us.
We can learn today to be more reliant on Your help today. Bring us into a greater awareness of Your ways of working in order that we come into a deeper understanding that all we see with our eyes is not all that is. We ask today for eyes to see Your hand in all things and hearts that are open to Your will. Amen. – Callie Logan
12. Morning Prayer: Walk with God
Dear Lord I Love You. All that I’ve expressed above is the love in my heart. I admit that at times my actions and my reactions betray my love for You. Please forgive me. Thank You for Your mercy 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
Thank You Lord for helping me to remember the difference in my life when I spend time with You my first priority in the morning. Invigorate me in both my body and spirit every daily with an eagerness to meet with You and listen to You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I get ready to begin 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 eyes with truth, inflame my heart with compassion and inspire my spirit with courage, enrich my life by serving. Pardon what I have been and sanctify who I am and set the stage for the way I will be. Amen – Author Unknown
15.. A Prayer for the Work Day Ahead
Father, I thank you for all the ways that you’ve blessed me particularly by this job that provides me with a paycheck and food on the table. Thank you that ALL work is important because work is good. Help me bring you glory by my actions my words, and through the good work I do to improve the order in my little area of the globe. Help me view my work as a blessing, not as a curse. Help me to have strength and grace for the toughest aspects of my job. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. – Renee Davis
16. A Morning Prayer for Cares and Concerns
My Father who is in Heaven, so much in my life is broken. I am overwhelmed with worries and concerns and they make me feel heavy. Although I want to place my burdens on You, I that I often pick them up and again and they add to my stress and anxiety. Please help me learn to cast my cares on You , as I learn how to relax and trust You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Chrystal Evans Hurst
17. For Hope Today
Help me, Lord to hear you saying, “I am your hope” over all the other voices. Lord, according to your word, you are the one who can bring hope to the despairing, therefore I’m running to you with both my hands spread out and grasping your hand. Bring me back to hope and give me an actual reminder today that hope is an unbreakable eternal lifeline (Hebrews 6:19-20). God, you know those things in my heart that I can’t even begin to imagine hoping for. Today I present the things I have to you, I am awestruck by them, and request that you do it because I know that you can accomplish more than I can ever think, imagine, or even imagine 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 want to believe in the fact that you’re with me and that I’m known and loved from you… However, there are days when it’s not easy. Help me to communicate the truth from your Word to myself. Bring it from my heart towards my heart. I ask you to give me peace and confidence to live as an awe-inspiring warrior – for you’ve already won me victory over every obstacle and challenge. Amen. – Amy Green
19. For a God-Honoring Work Day
Establish the work of my hands by assisting me to be efficient as well as patient, focused and insightful. Keep me from distractions and technology slowing my work rather than aiding 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 to integrate my personal, professional and church life with rest in a way that would maximize the glory of your name and let me bear the most fruit for your kingdom.
And as I work, keep my attention at Jesus and his job on the cross that gave me treasure that I could not earn, rest which I wouldn’t otherwise have, and a vivacious hope that will fuel my desire to pursue the glory of God. Amen. – Kevin Halloran
God Bless you all!