Are you ready to take your spirituality to the next level? One of the best ways to do that is by developing a daily prayer practice.
Imagine it as your spiritual workout. Just as you workout to stay fit, a daily prayer practice keeps your soul healthy and connected to the divine.
The most difficult aspect of praying is making it a constant element of our daily lives. But with a little time and planning it is possible to create an effective prayer schedule that works for you and your schedule. And the most appealing part is that you get to customize it to fit your personality and your spiritual beliefs.
Let’s be real, life is hectic and it’s easy to let prayers slip down on the priority list. Like everything other thing worth having, it requires commitment and discipline. That’s where developing an effective prayer schedule comes in. It provides the structure and accountability needed to ensure we’re in contact with God on a regularly.
How do you start? First, you must decide what time of day works best for you to pray. Some people prefer to start their day with prayer, and others prefer to pray at night before bed. Try it out and discover what works for you.
After you’ve decided on the most appropriate time for prayer, you can start to establish a routine. Here’s an illustration of a typical daily routine for prayer in the morning:
Begin by approaching God and asking for his presence as you read and meditate.
Read a passage from the Bible and then meditate on it for a while. This can be accomplished by reading it three to four times or by listing anything it tells you about yourself or examples to follow, commands to follow or promises to keep.
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 sit in the presence of God.
The beauty of a prayer routine is that it is customizable to fit your needs. Many people might only have just a few minutes and others could have a half an hours or longer. The key is that you make this a consistent element of your day-to-day routine. If you fall off the occasional day or two, don’t sweat it! Just get back on track for the next day.
An everyday prayer practice is an excellent opportunity to begin this new year feeling a new belief in the purpose of your life and a connection with the divine. It’s a powerful way to begin your day by putting your focus upon the Lord and making sure that your actions and thoughts are aligned to His plans.
Another way to increase your prayer routine is to make it more interactive. Instead of just reciting words, you should try to connect with God in a deeper way. Use your imagination and try to visualize the scenes in the Bible. You can try to imagine the feelings of these characters, and put yourself in their the shoes of their characters. This will make your prayer time more meaningful and personal.
It is also possible to incorporate various forms in your prayer routine. For instance, you can try silent prayer, contemplative prayer or even writing your prayers. This will prevent your prayer practice from becoming repetitive and provide some variety to your daily spiritual routine.
One of the best ways to remain engaged and focused on your daily prayer routine is sharing the practice with others. Find a partner in accountability, a friend or family member who will be checking on you regularly and help you to keep to your daily routine. They could even be a part of your prayers and share their own experiences.
The goal of daily prayer is to increase your connection with God and make sure that your thoughts and actions are aligned in accordance with His plans. It’s not about achieving perfection or adhering to a strict set of rules, it’s about being deliberate and consistent in your life of faith. Take the time to discover a prayer practice that works for you and set it as a priority in your day-to-day life. You’ll be amazed at the difference it can make for your spiritual development as well as overall wellbeing.
After we’ve completed that, let’s look at some of our most-loved daily prayers:
1. A Morning Prayer for Strength
Lord, I am exhausted and don’t know when the “race” will end in my life. I feel like I’ve been running forever trying to beat this challenge. Please help me not try to beat my pain and instead run with endurance the race you have set for me. I know that because of you, I will be an ace over the struggles in my life. I am certain that nothing could ever separate me from your steadfast 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 unconditional love for me that never ends! Also, thank me for your crown of joy which awaits me for eternity within your kingdom! – Adrian Rogers
2. A Morning Prayer for Courage
Lord, grant me tenacious winsome courage as I go through my day. When I am tempted to give up, assist me keep going. Grant me a cheerful spirit 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, Praise God for the sky and sun, for they both give us a new day’s challenge and opportunity to chase You. Thank You for reminding us that it’s not always easy, but we don’t need to carry the pain into each new day. Forgive us for dwelling on the past and 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 your intervention within my personal life, and for allowing me the opportunity to establish a an intimate 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 forever. Thank you for the blessings you’ve provided me as well as my loved ones. Let us make use of those blessings to be a blessing to others. May I live a life full of joy as I witness you working around me today! In Jesus the name of Jesus. Amen. – Ron Moore
5. To receive guidance by the Holy Spirit
Lord, I pray that you would be able to move the Spirit more boldly throughout my daily life. I am aware that every sin could irritate and diminish the voice of the Spirit and I ask not to fall prey to sin. Help me to crave Your Spirit more strongly than I desire sin. Help me to grow in the fruit of the Spirit and so walk closer with Yourself. 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 you for your abundant, abounding grace. Thank you that we do not need to work for a drop from the great flow in grace which flows in abundance to us now. Thanks for this unexpected, unmerited favor you’ve showered on my life. Help me to put myself in the direction of your love and grace. Help me not neglect the discipline I must keep in contact with you frequently and to get a drink from the well 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 right now. Help me see the positive things I often overlook and help me to be happy with what I have. Please forgive me when I judge myself against others, forgive me for longing for things that aren’t in your kingdom. Thank you for loving me exactly in the present, exactly where I am. Help me keep my focus at 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 I want to live in accordance with your will. Help me keep my feet from sliding and my mind from wandering into distractions that may steal precious energy and time from the most important things you have designed for me. I’m proud to be your child, Lord. And I’m so grateful for the sacrifice you made for me, rising again on your own new morning–so that every day can be filled with the joy in your affection, 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 like I have to bear the burden on my own. Words like overwhelmed, distraught, exhausted seem to describe my current state. I’m not sure how I can let you carry my heavy load Please help me understand. I’ll take it away. I’m going to rest and be rejuvenated so that my heart won’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 hear from You. Today, I make the commitment to begin a daily quiet time. I will seek Your voice above all of other voices in my life. Lord, teach me how to center my life on You and help me obey what I hear You say. In Jesus’ name, amen. – Mary Southerland
11. Rely on God Today
Lord, we today ask for more of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Lord, it’s easy for us to be overwhelmed by the worries that take over our lives We know the same way that Your eyes is upon the sparrows, so too do You look after and see us.
We can learn today to be more dependent on Your help today. Give us a deeper discernment of how You operate in order that we come into a deeper understanding that everything we see with our eyes is not what it is. Today , we pray for eyes that can see Your hands in all matters and hearts that are open to Your will. Amen. – Callie Logan
12. Morning Prayer to walk with God
Dear Lord I love You. All that I’ve expressed above is the desire in my heart. I confess that sometimes my actions and reactions go against my devotion to You. I ask for forgiveness. Thanks for your mercy which allows you to see this day as a chance to walk closer with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Lysa TerKeurst
13. A Morning Prayer for God’s Guidance
God of my life, please help me to remember how much difference it makes in my life when I spend time with You an absolute priority in my morning. Awaken me in both my body and spirit every morning with the desire to meet with You and to hear You speak affirmations, confidence, 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, please enlighten my mind with the truth, ignite my heart with love, inspire my will with courage, and enrich my life through service. Pardon what I have been and sanctify who I am, and order the way I will be. Amen – Author Unknown
15.. A Prayer for the Work Day Ahead
Father, thank for all the ways that you’ve blessed me, specifically with this job that helps me pay my bills and puts food on my table. Thank you that ALL work is important because the work you do is rewarding. Let me show you my glory today, through my actions, my words, by the efforts I make to improve the order in my small part of the world. Help me view my work as a blessing, not as a curse. Give me grace and strength for the toughest 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 am overwhelmed with worries and concerns that make me feel heavy. Although I want to place my burdens on You, I find that I tend to pick them up and they cause to my stress and anxiety. Help me to cast my cares upon You while I discover what it means to be at peace 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 other voices. Lord, your word says that you are the hope for the hopeless, and I’m rushing to you with both my hands stretched out and grabbing your hand. Give me faith and provide me with a tangible reminder of the fact that hope is an irreplaceable spiritual lifeline (Hebrews 6:19-20). God You know the things that are in my heart I barely dare to hope for. Today I present these things to you. I believe in you and ask that you because I know that you can do more than I could think of, imagine or ask for in the wildest of dreams (Eph 3:20). God, you are my hope and I trust you. Amen. – Wendy can Eyck
18. Courage for the Day Ahead
God, I want to believe that you’re with me and that I am known and loved from you… but there are days when it’s not easy. Help me speak the truth in your Word back to me. Bring it from my mind towards my heart. Bring me peace and confidence to live as the conqueror because you’ve already won me victory over every challenge and obstacle. Amen. – Amy Green
19. For a God-Honoring Work Day
Make my work easier on my hands by helping me be productive, patient, focused, and sharp. Refrain me from distractions and 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. Teach me to align my family, work and church activities, as well as rest in a way that will maximize your glory , and allow me to produce the highest fruit for your kingdom.
While I work, keep my eyes at Jesus and his finished work on the cross that provided me with treasures I could not acquire, peace 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 everyone!