“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray”—Mark 1:35 (NLT)

If Jesus prayed in solitude first thing in the morning, then I feel as if I should be following His example and be doing the same. God doesn’t expect long, eloquent prayers, He wants our attention put on Him at the start of our day. I can be something as simple as, Lord, thank You for waking up this morning. Be with me in all I do. Keep me safe. Use me as a vessel to show Your love to those around me. Amen. You may find, you will have more to talk and thank God for once you get started.

Or, maybe start with the Lord’s Prayer. In Luke 11:1 one of Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. His response was,  “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins,as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.”—Luke 11:2-4 (NLT)  

Some of you have may have heard or memorized this version:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 

Jesus gave the Lord’s prayer to His disciples as a guide on how to pray. It is also a good tool for those of us who might need some inspiration. Honestly, there are days when I don’t know how to pray and personalize the Lord’s prayer. It is a way to open the doors of communication with Him with honor and praise. 

Where I usually struggle with this prayer, is the Your will be done. Being the Type A person that I am, I have a hard time not telling God what He needs to do. I tell myself that my requests align with God’s will, but do they really? If I am being totally honest, many times what I am asking God isn’t really a prayer but trying to get Him to do what I think is best. That sure isn’t going to God with a humble heart. 

My prayers should be realigning me with God’s will. When I am praying for things that are in align with His will, He hears my prayers. Will the answers be what I think? Sometimes, but very rarely do things turn out as I envision. That is a good thing, because if left to me, I limit what I think God can do. 

If your morning feels rushed, use Jesus’ guide for His disciples (that is us) on how to pray and start with the Lord’s Prayer. The below quote pretty much sums up why it is so important to seek God first thing in the morning.

 “THE men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, he will be in the last place the remainder of the day. Behind” 
― E.M. Bounds, The Complete Collection of E. M. Bounds on Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your Word that guides me to be more steadfast in my prayer life. Forgive me when I don’t come to you with a humble heart. I ask for forgiveness when my prayers reflect a lack of trust and don’t align with Your will. Help me to pray and live Your way. I praise You that when I am weak and confused I can claim victory over my struggle. You are strong and mighty. Nothing is impossible for You. I pray for Your Kingdom to come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

April Memory Verse:

My memory verse for this month is from the Lord’s prayer.

“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”—Matthew 6:10

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