Are you willing to take your spiritual life to the next level? One of the best ways to do that is to establish a regular prayer practice.
Think of it as your spiritual workout. Just as you go to the gym to stay in shape, regular prayer keeps your soul healthy and in tune with the divine.
The most challenging aspect of praying is to make it a regular part of our lives. However, with a bit of planning and effort you can develop your own prayer routine that is suitable for you and your schedule. The best part is, you are able to modify it to fit your personality and spiritual tradition.
Let’s be real, life can be busy and it’s easy to let prayers slide off the priority list. Like everything else worth being a part of, it requires effort and discipline. This is where the creation of the habit of praying comes into. It gives the structure and accountability needed to ensure that we’re in contact with God on a regularly.
So, how do you start? It’s the first thing to do is decide what time of day is the most suitable time to pray. Some prefer to begin their day with prayer while others find it easier to pray at night before going to bed. Test and see what works for you.
After you’ve decided on the most appropriate time for prayer then you can begin to build your routine. Here’s an illustration of a typical daily routine for morning prayer:
Begin by addressing God, ask for his presence as you read and pray.
Take a chapter from the Bible and meditate on the passage. It can be done by reading it three or four times, or listing anything it tells you about yourself, or examples to follow, commands to obey or promises to make.
Make your prayer a ritual by making confession, adoration as well as petition and thanksgiving. Prayerfully address your needs and pressing concerns as well as taking time to be in God’s presence.
The great thing about the prayer time routine is that it can be adapted to suit your needs. For some, you may have only just a few minutes while others might have a half an hour or more. The key is that you make this a consistent element of your day-to-day routine. If you don’t make it through a day or two Don’t be concerned! You can get back on track the next day.
An everyday prayer practice is an excellent method to begin your new year off with a fresh feeling of purpose and spiritual connection with God. It’s a powerful method to begin your day by keeping your eyes upon the Lord and aligning your thoughts and actions with His will.
Another method to improve your prayer time is to enhance it by making it more engaging. Instead of simply reciting words, try to engage with God on a deeper level. Try using your imagination to visualize the scenes by the Bible. Try to feel the emotions of the characters, and put yourself in their shoes. This makes your time of prayer more personal and meaningful.
It is also possible to incorporate different forms in your prayer day-to-day routine. For example, try a silent prayer, contemplative prayer or even writing down your prayers. This can keep your prayer routine from becoming monotonous and add variety to your spiritual routine.
One of the best methods to keep yourself engaged and focused on your daily prayers is sharing your practice with other people. Find a accountability partner either a close friend or family member who can check in with you and help you to stick to your schedule. They may even join you in prayer and share their own experiences.
The goal of daily prayer is to strengthen your relationship with God and align your thoughts and actions to His plan. It’s not about perfection or following the strict guidelines, but rather being consistent and deliberate in your life of faith. So, take the time to discover a prayer practice that works for you and incorporate it 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 look at some of our favorite daily prayers:
1. A Morning Prayer for Strength
Dear God, I’m tired and I don’t know what time the “race” will end in my life. It seems as if I’ve run for ages trying to beat this trial. Help me not try to beat my pain and instead run with endurance the race that you have set before me. I know that because of you, I will be a victor over the trials that I face in life. I know that nothing in this world could ever be able to separate me from your eternal love. Please show me some of your love today. Give me the courage to face this trial. I thank you so much for your devotion for me that never ceases! Thank you for the 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 courageous spirit as I move through my day. When I’m tempted quit, help me to keep going. Grant me a cheerful spirit in the event that things do not go my way. Also, give me the strength 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, as both remind us of an exciting new day and opportunity to chase You. Thank You for reminding us the journey isn’t all easy. But, it is important to remember we don’t need to carry the pain into the next day. Forgive us for dwelling on the past and keeping grudges. Thank You for our hearts that are not free of any limitation when we pray to You every 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 the privilege of a 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. Help us use those blessings to help others. May I live a life filled with joy when I witness you working all around me! In Jesus’ name. Amen. – Ron Moore
5. For Guidance From the Holy Spirit
Lord, I ask you to move the Spirit more boldly within my own life. I know that every sin could irritate and weaken the spirit of the Spirit, and I pray not to fall prey to commit sin. Help me crave your Spirit more strongly than I want sin. Help me develop the fruits of the Spirit and so walk closer to You. I ask for direction from Your Spirit. Let your word and promise always be a source of meditation for my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Kenny Luck
6. For God’s Grace Daily
Lord, thank God for your abundance grace, abundant grace. We thank you that we don’t have to earn a single drop of the powerful flow of mercy that flows freely to us right now. Thanks for this unexpected and undeserved favor you’ve bestowed upon my life. Help me to put myself in the direction of your grace and love. Help me not neglect the disciplines I need to attend to you on a regular basis 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 Help me to love my life right now. Show me the good things that I tend to overlook and help me to be happy with the things I have. Forgive me when I judge myself against others, forgive me for wanting things outside of you and your kingdom. Thanks for being with me exactly in the present, exactly as I am. Help me keep my eyes at you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Nicki Koziarz
8. Prayer Against Distractions Today
As I get ready for the day, help me remember that I am yours, and my desire is to behave accordingly. Make sure my feet don’t slip and my thoughts from drifting into distractions that could steal precious time and energy away from the most important things you have planned for me. I’m so proud to be your son, Lord. And I’m thankful that you gave your life for me — rising from the dead on your new morning–so that every day would have the beauty in your affection, the joy of your Spirit and the joy of knowing you. – 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 overwhelmed, devastated exhausted and frightened are the words that describe where I am. I am not sure how to let you carry my weight Please help me understand. Take it from me. I’m going to rest and be refreshed so that my heart won’t be so heavy in the morning. In Jesus the name of Jesus. Amen. – Ron Moore
10. To Focus on God’s Voice
Father, I must be heard from you. Today I am making a commitment to have a quiet time each day. I will listen for Your voice above all other voices that surround me. Lord, teach me how to focus my life around You, and help me to follow whatever You tell 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 fill our lives. Lord, it can be easy to get obsessed with the anxieties that surround us in life, but we know the same way that Your gaze is indeed at the sparrow so too do You look after and look out for us.
Help us today to be more reliant on You. Help us gain a better awareness of Your ways of working in order that we come into a deeper understanding that what that we see in our natural eyes isn’t all there is. Today , we pray for eyes that can see Your hand in all things, and hearts open to Your mission. Amen. – Callie Logan
12. Morning Prayer: Walk with God
Dear Lord I am in love with You. Everything I’ve said above is the desire in my heart. I admit that at times my actions and reactions betray my devotion to You. I ask for forgiveness. I thank You for the grace which allows you to see this new day as a chance to be 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 how much difference it makes when I make time with You my first priority in the morning. Awaken me in the body and in my spirit every morning with the desire for a time of fellowship with You, and to be able to hear Your words of affirmation, faith, and wisdom to my mind as I prepare for 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 illuminate my eyes with the truth, ignite my heart with love and inspire my spirit with courage, enrich my life by serving. Forgive me for what I’ve done, sanctify what I am, and establish what I shall be. Amen – Author Unknown
15.. A Prayer for the Work Day Ahead
Father, I thank you for all the ways you’ve blessed me especially through this job which helps me pay my bills and puts food on the table. Thank you for the fact that ALL work is important because work is beneficial. Let me show you my glory today, through my actions and words, as well as through the good efforts I make to make my little part of the world. Help me see my job as a blessing, not a curse. Give me grace and strength for the toughest aspects of my work. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. – Renee Davis
16. A Morning Prayer for Cares and Concerns
My Father who is in Heaven I am so grateful to you that my life is broken. I have so many concerns and worries that burden me. Although I want to put my worries on You, I find that I often pick them up and they add additional stress and anxiety. Help me to cast my cares on You as I learn what it means to rest 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 the other voices. Lord, according to your word that you are the hope for hopeless therefore I’m running to you with both my hands extended and holding on to you. Fill me up with hope and give me concrete proof that today hope is an irreplaceable eternal lifeline (Hebrews 6:19-20). God You know the things that are in my heart I can’t even begin to imagine hoping for, today I give these things to you. I believe in you and request that you do it because I know that you are able to do more than I can ever think of, imagine or ask for in my wildest hopes (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 there with me and that I’m loved and respected by your love… but there are days when it’s not easy. Help me to speak the truth in your Word to myself. Take it from my head to my heart. I ask you to give me peace and the courage to be the conqueror because 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 productive as well as patient, focused and insightful. Be sure to keep me away from distractions and technology hindering my work instead of 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 align my work, family, church life, and rest in a manner that would maximize the glory of your name and allow me to bear the most fruit for your kingdom.
As I work, fix my gaze at Jesus and his work on the cross that gave me treasure I could not acquire, peace that I would not normally experience, and a living faith that will inspire me to strive for to glorify God. Amen. – Kevin Halloran
God bless you everyone!