I’m a “wannabe” morning person. How about you? Do you bounce up early, eager to get started? Or are you sliding under the comforter after midnight?
By nature I’m a night owl who’s trying hard to convert. I’d like to see more of God’s glorious colors painted across the eastern sky when a new day begins.
Three hundred and sixty-five times per year, God wraps a new day with fresh air and promises. Whether the package includes the sun’s rays streaming through the trees or rumbling thunder in an ominous sky, each twenty-four-hour period represents a gift.
When I wake up, I often repeat, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). The verse sets the tone for joyous gratitude.
Lest you think I spring up like Winnie-the-Pooh’s friend Tigger with extra energy and exuberance, I’ll admit my attitude on occasion is less than cheery.
When I’m tired or overwhelmed with a long to-do list, my response to the alarm clock sounds more like Pooh’s other friend, Eeyore, the forlorn donkey who sees the glass as half-empty.
On those days, as my hand reaches for the snooze button, my pillow entices me more than the smell of strong coffee. Gratitude hides deep under the covers.
Regardless of our mental state upon awakening, we can embrace each new day with gratitude for God’s gifts. After all, an additional dawn represents an opportunity to seek our heavenly Father’s will in prayer and to love and serve Him and others throughout the day.
Some believers spend concentrated time with God in the afternoon or evening. We’re all unique. As long as we engage in prayer and Bible study, we can grow in Christ regardless of the time of day. Some who have extended prayer and reading time later in the day, pray briefly in the morning to acknowledge God’s presence and gain focus.
Praying passages from the book of Psalms often jumpstarts my early moments. Focusing on God’s words pries open my sleepy mind and awakens my heart to converse with the day’s Creator. The verses below are some of my favorites.
Embrace-the-Day-with-Joy Verses to Pray
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14
But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 59:16
But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
Psalm 88:13
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.
Psalm 119:147
You may want to print the verses and add others to include in your conversations with God.
Please share how you turn “Eeyore mornings” into “Tigger days.”
Bouncing like the tiger character in the Winnie-the-Pooh story is optional (whew), but embracing the day with prayer helps us rejoice in the new morning God has made. Filled with joy, we can brighten someone else’s day.
Have a good day, dear reader friend, and enjoy time with God whether you meet with Him in the morning or evening. Thank you for your comments.
Bible verses are from the ESV.
Image by Pixabay
Oh Jeannie I am so there with you! I am a reforming night owl! 😂
On days when I want to be a grump, I make myself greet others cheerfully knowing they may very well be having a grump day too! Before I know it I am no longer making myself be cheerful! ❤️
Connie, it’s great to hear from you and see that I’m not alone as a “reforming night owl.” What good advice you offer by example. Greeting others cheerfully can change and brighten someone else’s day. Thank you so much for joining the conversation.
Before my feet touch the floor, I say “Good Morning, Lord. Thank You for this glorious day.”
I love praising God and when I share time with Him first, my day begins filled with peace.
Melissa, What a perfect way to start the day. I love starting my day with awareness of the Lord’s presence, also. I like the way you said, “…when I share time with Him first.” Thank you so much for sharing.
“No! Never Alone, ” Jeannie!!!! (you know the tune…)
Good thots and encouraging scripture findings!
Fran
Thank you, Fran. Those familiar hymns, songs, and verses center our focus on God who is always faithful. Thank you so much for commenting.
I can’t say “every day”, but I start most days between 3 and 4 am. That ensures I have “God time” before I have to start feeding everyone and the (what seems like) million other chores that always seem to stack up. The best part is that as I finish the prayer portion of my morning ritual, I look up from my desk and see the sun just starting to peek over the trees as I look eastward. It is then, I pause to thank God for giving me another day in which to grow closer to Him, help someone, and do some thing to make an impact for His kingdom. You may not start your days the same as me, but oh how you finish them strong in the Lord my friend. God’s blessings Ms. Jeannie.
J. D., I get up relatively early, but I do miss the sunrise. Your description encourages me to set the clock a tad earlier. I do like to spend time with the Lord before the day’s demands crowd my thinking. Thank you for sharing the benefits of rising early.
Uggg. I really struggle with morning-ness. I have through my life developed an early morning ritual that I consider my absolute most important first of the day and it is pulling the Bible and journal over and opening God’s Word. Love it.
You’re “seeking Him first” which is the best way to start the day, Sylvia. Isn’t it amazing how postponing for a few minutes can yield mind clutter that distracts us? Thanks so much for stopping by to read and comment.
Very interesting we are all different. I miss the beautiful moon a lot. But at the end of the day, regardless of the time, we can know the wonderful peace of God.
Yes, Jimmie, I agree we are all different, and I should have added that to the post. Thank you for mentioning that point. Many people enjoy evening time with the Lord as they reflect on the day. When I was working full time, I prayed and maybe read a devotion in the morning, but my concentrated time with the Lord was at night. You’re right that we can know God’s peace at any time of day or night, and how grateful we are for that.
Oh, Jeannie you made my day! Most leaders I follow are early risers and I always feel bad that I like to sleep until 7:30 or 8 a.m. As you said I do miss the sun rise and beautiful colors. I love the Eeyore reference. For Christmas my husband gave me a sleep shirt that says “Let me sleep” on it. I also say Psalm 118:24 when I wake up to thank God for another day. Thank you for sharing the scripture references, I like to use those to pray with in the morning.
Doreen, you made MY day by stopping by. Of course, we can pray at any time of day, but I’m aiming for earlier rising. I’m set my clock for 7 or 8 when I stay up late. Thank you for sharing the verse and your cute shirt saying. Enjoy your time with God whenever it is.
I’m an early riser and I begin with thanks for safely getting me through the night and waking to a new day. I live your scriptures to follow that with what awaits me. Thanks once more for encouragement and putting a smile on my face.
Marilyn, thank you for sharing your positive first steps in the morning. Simply thanking God sets our mind on Him at the beginning of the day. Your comment put a smile on my face.
I love the idea of starting the day with “joy verses”! I’m not an early riser by nature, but I enjoy the sunrise almost as much as the sunset.
Blessings,
Tammy
Tammy, God’s sunsets are glorious, too, aren’t they? I’m glad you called the verses “joy verses” because concentrating on God’s Word does indeed fill us with joy. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
I am not a morning person so my deeper Bible study is at night. However, I do read either one Psalm or Proverb in the morning to set my mind on the Lord. That gets my day started with the right perspective to have a Biblical lens through which to view the day.
Joanna, thanks for a great example of ensuring we connect with God by using the times that work best for us. Reading in the morning and studying at night sounds perfect—like bookends for your day.
I’m more of a morning person than I used to be and am so thankful for that transition. I’m out early feeding the horses and usually receive an awesome blessing as I view the dawn sky (often still lots of stars) and the glorious sunrise. It “brightens” my morning and gets the day off to a wonderful beginning.
Katherine, thank you for sharing your morning with us. The morning sky is beautiful and does indeed “ brighten our day” when it turns our hearts to God.
I like to accomplish in one day as much as I can, and I have a resistance to going to sleep early (except when I’m exhausted!). But when I see the sky before the sunrise, it feels almost sacred. A blanket of navy hangs behind the silhouette of trees. I think that feeling comes from those 5am mornings at the Blue Ridge conference when you feel like you’re on God’s mountain before anyone else wakes up and you can spend time with Him. 🙂
Katy, what a beautiful description of morning and what joy your words reflected at spending time with God. Thank you for stopping by.