How you start off your day determines how it will end.
If you don’t believe me, just stop and think about it for a minute. How did your day start yesterday? Was there a connection with how you felt it ended? Let’s say you were rushed to get out the door. You slammed down a granola bar and can’t really remember looking in the mirror before leaving the house. Did you feel like you accomplished all that you wished to accomplish yesterday? My guess is that the answer is “no.”
Why? Not because you were lazy, but because you didn’t remind yourself of what was most important at the beginning of the day.
Recently I was inspired by a Pastor named Dee Duke. For over 30 years he has been praying the same prayer every morning. When he explains his process, I had this sense of “I can do that… I NEED to do that.” So I followed his example and wrote a prayer that I now pray every morning.
I started by looking at Dee Duke’s morning commitment prayer. Then I kept these things in mind as I wrote mine:
- I wanted to express worship God for who He is at the very start. I know I can’t do anything without His strength, so I must acknowledge that.
- Then I thought through my biggest commitments in life: wife, kids, church, etc. and made sure I prayed through them.
- Then I thought about what characteristics (and values) are important to me. I asked God to help me keep these things or cultivate a heart for them.
- Finally, I acknowledged my need for the Holy Spirit’s power in my life and asked for wisdom as I live out my days.
I encourage you to take the time to write something like this! It is a powerful exercise. I now pray it every morning and I hope to have it memorized eventually.
Here is mine:
Dear Father,
Today I give you my allegiance. I realize I can do nothing without your help. Therefore, I ask that you give me the grace, by your Holy Spirit, to live today in a manner that glorifies you. I will do whatever you ask of me, no matter how difficult. I lay down my own preferences and rights to embrace the greater life you have for me. I will not be swayed by the opinions of men, but only moved by your voice, my God.
Today I will love you more than any earthly thing. I will diligently study your Word and apply it. I will be devoted to prayer, so I may seek Your face and not just Your hand. I will love Molly the way Christ has selflessly loved the church. I will be intentional with my kids to point them to Jesus, remembering the greatest thing I will do for the kingdom is raise godly children. I will be mindful of the extended family you have given me and will intentionally care for them so they may see Christ in me. I will love Grace Chapel well by shepherding, feeding and leading them as a humble and confident leader.
I will fight every temptation to stay in fellowship with you. I will do nothing out of anger, revenge or compulsion, but in everything be intentional and prayerful. I will love whomever you sovereignly bring in my path and give generously to everyone around me. I will not speak poorly of others unless they are hurting You and Your church. I will always be honest and loving in equal measure. I will grumble about nothing, but in everything rejoice.
I will manage my time will, avoiding slothfulness or mere busyness. I will steward my body, appearance and emotional health to ensure I am as able as possible to serve you, my Lord. I will have margin to rest well, eat well and enjoy the common graces you give me today. I will live today as it is my last but with the passion as if it is my first. I will be mindful that all my actions are accountable to you on the day I meet you face-to-face.
I ask for your wisdom today. I ask for the anointing of your Holy Spirit today. I ask for strength and confidence today. My chief end today is to please you, My King, and bring glory to your name.
I love you. I am yours.
