Morning Prayer
A morning prayer is a short prayer said at the start of the day to thank God, give him the hours ahead and ask for his help. A simple one is: "Lord, thank you for this new day. I give it to you. Walk with me, guide what I say and do, and help me notice you. Amen."
Because of the loving devotion of the Lord we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
Lamentations 3:22-23 (BSB)
The first few minutes of the day often set the tone for everything that follows. A morning prayer does not need to be long or polished; it is simply a way of turning towards God before the phone, the inbox and the to-do list. Here are five short prayers to choose from, and verses to pray with when you have a little more time.
A short morning prayer
Good morning, Lord. Thank you for rest, for breath and for this new day that I did not have to earn. Before I rush into it, I give it back to you. Go ahead of me into every conversation and every task. Give me patience where I will need it, courage where I will be tested, and kindness for the people I meet. Help me notice you in the small moments today. Amen.
A morning prayer for a hard day
Father, I woke up already tired, and I know today will be hard. You see what is waiting for me better than I do. I do not ask you to take every difficulty away, but I ask you to be with me in each one. Give me enough strength for this morning, then for this afternoon, then for tonight. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me that your mercy is new this morning and that I do not walk alone. Amen.
A morning prayer of thanks
Lord, before I ask you for anything, I want to thank you. Thank you for the people who love me, for a roof over my head, for food today and for the faithfulness that carried me through yesterday. Thank you for the things I take for granted, like light, water and another chance. Let gratitude be the first thing I carry into this day, and let it shape how I treat everyone I meet. Amen.
A morning prayer before work
God, as I start work today, I bring you my tasks, my meetings and my worries about getting it all done. Give me a clear mind and steady hands. Help me work honestly and well, as though I were working for you. Make me a good colleague, slow to complain and quick to help. Where there is pressure or conflict, give me wisdom and grace. And when the day ends, let me leave it with you. Amen.
A one-line prayer to say as you wake
Lord, this day is yours and so am I; walk with me in it. Say it before you get out of bed, or as your feet touch the floor. It takes a few seconds, and it reminds you that you are not starting the day on your own. If you have a moment longer, add one thing you are grateful for and one thing you need help with today. Amen.
Scripture to pray with
In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3 (BSB)
Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8 (BSB)
This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 (BSB)
Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 (BSB)
But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (BSB)
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray.
Mark 1:35 (BSB)
Questions people ask
What is a good short morning prayer?
A good short morning prayer thanks God, offers him the day and asks for his help. For example: "Lord, thank you for this new day. I give it to you. Guide my words and actions, and help me notice you. Amen." It can be said in under a minute, before you get out of bed.
What should I say in a morning prayer?
There is no fixed formula. Most morning prayers include thanks for the new day, an offering of the hours ahead to God, a request for guidance and strength for what you are facing, and a prayer for the people you will see. Speak honestly, in your own words.
Did Jesus pray in the morning?
Yes. Mark 1:35 describes Jesus getting up very early, while it was still dark, and going to a quiet place to pray. Many Christians follow that example by setting aside a few minutes for prayer before the day gets busy.
Keep reading
A verse for how you feel, every morning
FaithGuide gives you a verse and a prayer for how you feel each morning, and a gentle prayer at bedtime. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain.