“Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”
Irish Hymn, Bí Thusa ‘mo Shúile
Trans. Mary E. Byrne, 1905
Good morning, Lord. Keep my eyes focused on You … ever and always. May nothing or no one be more important in my sight than You.
And thank You for keeping an eye on me … ever and always.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
Psalm 23:1-2 (ESV)
I find a hot shower invigorating. For restoring my body, nothing beats a long soak in the tub.
Good morning, Lord. I want to soak in Your wisdom, to absorb Your Word like a sponge. Fill me with truth and discernment, enable me to carry them with me as I walk through this day. Let streams of living water flow from me to those around me (John 7:38), especially in dry places.
Refresh and restore my soul!
“It is best to learn to silence the faculties and to cause them to be still so that God may speak.”
John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I’m so eager to tell You what’s bothering me, I forget to listen. Teach me to quiet my soul and open my heart to the nudge of Your Spirit. Forgive me for making prayer all about me.
Speak Lord, and help me listen.
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart …, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 1After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper ...
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)
God’s still small voice whispers, “What are you doing?”
Good morning, Lord. Tune my ears to hear Your still small voice. Give me the humility to admit when I am wrong. Grant me discernment to see the right path and the strength to walk in it. Keep me honest, O God, and give me a willing and obedient heart.
We live in a noisy, chaotic world. It’s easy to lose sight of God, to doubt His existence. Stop! Look and listen. His creation reveals His glory. His power is still at work. He still speaks to our souls.
Come and see what the Lord has done …
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:8,10 (NIV)
Good morning, Lord. I believe in You, in Your power, and in Your love. When I slow down and notice, I see You in the night skies, in the sun lighting the hillsides, in the early morning birdcall. You are good! When I don’t see You, it’s because I’m not paying attention. You are constant — I’m the one who is distracted.
Be exalted, O God, in my heart, my thoughts and my actions.
Every day is a fresh start, an opportunity for a do-over.
Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV)
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning.
Good morning, Lord. Thank You for second chances. Yesterday’s mistakes are past and today is a clean slate. Is there something new for me to do? Something old that needs a do-over? Something unfinished that needs completion? So many choices, so many opportunities … guide my decisions, give me wisdom.
Show me where to start, what to tackle, how to finish — for Your glory, Lord, not mine.
I can’t deny it. I’m getting old. My body aches and my joints creak.
Somedays I feel it more than others.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Good morning, Lord. Renewing my soul isn’t a do-it-yourself job. You do the work, but I have to be willing, I have to put in the time, I have to cooperate. All the while the enemy whispers that I don’t need the help, I don’t have the time, I can do it all in my own power. Teach me to ignore him and listen to You. I’ll never outgrow my need for You.
Renew me, O God — mind, soul and spirit.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
Helen H. Lemmel, 1922
Good morning, Lord. It’s a new year. I want to forget what is behind and reach for what is ahead (Philippians 3:13). Teach me to value the old lessons and embrace the new opportunities. Show me how to count my blessings from You and be a blessing to others. I want to avoid the distractions of the world and focus fully on You.
Psalm 103:2 (NIV)
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
Good morning, Lord. I forget to be grateful, forgive me. Open my eyes to the many blessings You poured out on me this year: good home and good health, safe travels near and far, abundant food, people who love me, a job I enjoy, Your constant presence and the hope of heaven. The list goes on … thank You.
I remember the little things too: unexpected words of encouragement, surprising delights of nature, small successes that made me smile. Your goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, and my cup overflows (Psalm 23) … thank You.
