My Morning Prayer Routine
I am invincible in the morning. Anything requiring my creative thinking and positive attitude is best done upon arising, preferably before breakfast. Many of my readers may be night owls, so my morning prayer routine may be a non-starter for you. Maybe something here will help you think about mornings differently.
But first, a word of caution: I am aware—in myself and others—that using one’s electronic devices for spiritual purposes is fraught with peril. My iPad is my alarm clock, prayer book, and Bible. [The advantage here is that I do not need to turn on the light in order to start my morning prayer routine. Andy is still asleep.] The bad news is the ease of opening today’s local newspaper, and I might as well check on Google News and Washington Post while I’m at it. Facebook—any new pictures of the grandkids—and of course Wordle all beckon as loudly as the Lord’s invitation, “Come to Me, the Living Water!” You get the idea: what offers convenience and compactness also presents temptations.
With that in mind, then, here’s what I do on my best mornings (without the detours): G’DAY!
1) Awake to a spiritual song playing as my alarm clock. What works best for me is something that starts softly and builds, so as not to jar me awake suddenly. I love “A Deer’s Cry,” by Lisa Kelly (Celtic Woman), a setting of Saint Patrick’s Breastplate. This is a fabulous prayer of praise, dependence, and spiritual protection. My husband awakes to Fernando Ortega’s rendition of “Give Me Jesus.” If you need to be jarred awake, try Michael Card’s “Holy, Holy, Holy” from his album Unveiled Hope. And there’s always the “Hallelujah” chorus from Messiah. Whatever works to lift your mind and heart in praise to God.
2) Greet the Lord. “Okay, Jesus, I’m awake. Thank you for this new day.”
3) Devotional reading of your choice. So many to choose from: currently I am using Tim and Kathy Keller’s The Songs of Jesus (365 dated readings from the Psalms with prayers) in print. But I also have the Daily Prayer app (presbyterianmission.org) on my iPad, with separate Scripture/prayer sets for morning and evening—very easy to use—taken primarily from Anglican and Presbyterian books of common prayer. There is a daily Old Testament reading, a Psalm, gospel reading, and epistle portion.
4) ACTS Prayer: Adoration (praise to God), Confession (continue the repentance from previous night’s examen), Thanksgiving (focused on today’s opportunities, people I will be meeting, family—always!), and Supplication (intercession for those who have shared concerns with me. I have mental lists of family needs, fellow cancer patients and survivors, and mission partners, to name a few.)
5) Yes to God. Yes, gracious God, I am available to serve you today. Yes, Lord Jesus, your will be done. Yes, Holy Spirit, I rely on you for the requirements of this day, and dedicate all its challenges and successes to you. This day is yours to do with as you will through me; keep me open to your leading and grateful for your guidance through this day.
This is the way I start the day, but there are many variations depending on circumstances, books available to you, the presence of electricity (or not). The most important thing is simply to say G’Day to God! “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you!” (James 4:8).