Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me.
All things — not through my effort, but through God’s grace.
Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the strength to get up and get started today. I have a plan, but You already know how the day will go. Empower me to do good, all day, in Jesus’ name.
If it’s truly good, it comes from God.
If it comes from God, it is good.
James 1:17 (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
Good morning, Lord. If it’s good, it’s from You — even if it doesn’t exactly feel good in the moment. Change makes me uncomfortable, but the changes coming from You are good for me, good for Your kingdom. Teach me to embrace Your good gifts with gratitude.
Romans 11:36 (NIV)
For from him [God] and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Without God, there’s nothing.
Good morning, Lord. You are the force behind the air I breathe, the sounds I hear, the wonders I see, even the gravity that holds me in place. Forgive me for taking it all for granted. When I stop and think (which I should do more often), I’m grateful beyond words.
“Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!”
Clara H. Scott, 1895
This hymnwriter got it right. It’s my job to wait and be willing. The Holy Spirit does the rest.
Good morning, Lord. Open my eyes to Your light, Your Word and Your will. Teach me to wait on You before I start something new. Quiet my thoughts, enable me to hear Your voice.
I have a few friends who are blind. They see with the eyes of their hearts.
Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.
The eyes in my head are fine. The eyes of my heart need more practice.
Good morning, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart, O God. I want to see You, and I want to see others the way You do.
The Apostle Paul urges us to look up and beyond.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Good morning, Lord. Teach me to look beyond the here and now. Forgive me for stressing over things that are only temporary. Focus my eyes and my heart on things with eternal value, now and forever, amen.
“Holy, Holy, Holy!
though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see.”
Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
Good morning, Lord. Earthly eyes cannot see the glories of heaven. I’ve read the description in John’s Revelation — words can only hint at the wonders to come. The best of earth is only a shadow of the splendor of Your throne room.
Holy, holy, holy!
Psalm 119:18 (NIRV)
Open my eyes so that I can see
the wonderful truths in your law.
God gave me eyes. It’s up to me to use them.
Using my eyes to read God’s Word … that’s a good start.
Good morning, Lord. Thank You for eyes to read Your Word, the intellect to understand it, and the motivation to apply it to my life. Forgive me for taking the Bible for granted. I pray for our fellow believers who live where reading Scripture is a crime. Protect them, inspire them, encourage them, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Psalm 90:17 (NLV)
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us. And make the work of our hands stand strong. Yes, make the work of our hands stand strong.
Let’s set our hands and hearts to good work. Now is the right time.
Good morning, Lord. Inspire the work of my heart, empower the work of my hands. May all I say and do honor You.
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
My father often quoted this tidbit of wisdom:
“We grow so soon old and so late smart, yet.”
Let’s collect wisdom while we can … the sooner, the better.
Good morning, Lord. My earthly timeline is in Your hands — I don’t know when or how my life here will end. Teach me to use my time wisely, for Jesus’ sake, amen.
