Bible Verses about Morning Prayer {Morning Prayer Routine}
When getting ready for my morning Scripture time, I have a few Bible verses about morning prayer that come to mind. Keep reading because I’m sharing them in today’s post! But first, a reminder for us all…
“Prayer time doesn’t have to look perfect.” <—–Â That’s what I continuously have to remind myself so I can sit down with God – no matter my circumstances or time constraints. I’ll be honest: I have an idea of “the” picture-perfect prayer experience. I’d love
- A full 30-45 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted prayer time every day.
- To know what Scripture to read every time.
- To be able to pray about a struggle once, resolve it, and then be able to move on to something else.
Alas, in reality, that is not how prayer works.
But, God!
Thanks to the Lord, I still enjoy an active and fulfilling prayer experience, even when my quiet time fails to meet my idea of perfection. Even more, I’ve realized how critical it is for me to put my self-care in my morning prayer time.
How to Have an Effective Morning Prayer Time
Several years ago, I participated in a pastor search for our church.
The leader began each meeting by leading us in prayer, using a process taken from a book written explicitly for church committees searching for a new pastor. That process took 30-60 minutes every time. Being in prayer for nearly an hour seemed like a long time; however, it was one of the most incredible prayer experiences of my life.
After the team stopped meeting, I deeply missed that time in prayer. So I adapted the team’s prayer model to fit my prayer time.
Now, I follow a process whenever I pray:
- A simple 5-step process that I can finish in any amount of time.
- A few favorite verses on a regular basis.
- And, because I have an ongoing struggle with stress management and taking care of myself, I pray through a few self-care-related verses to be intentional with my self-care and use my faith to reduce my stress.
Bible Verses about Morning Prayer
After I started focusing on self-care in my morning prayer, I soon learned that I needed to remove myself from distractions. Waiting for the madness to stop was a BIG mistake.
At first, I had to read Luke 5:16 out loud every time. “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” (NLT). I like this version because I feel most at peace while hiking in the woods.
When I put myself in a quiet place during my prayer time, I am more likely to pray longer and feel more peace with the Lord.
1 Praise and Thanksgiving
I begin prayer by focusing on the glory and greatness of God. Sometimes I praise and thank God for His blessings.
Other times I praise God for who He is.
I read Psalms 100:4-5 during this time, out of my bible verses about morning prayer, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (NIV).
2 Confession and Repentance
The next part is somber and reflective. But coming to the Lord with a clean heart is essential for fruitful prayer.
I humbly confess my sins, while being specific about any sins of thoughts, speech, or actions. After that, I repent and pray that God fills me with the Holy Spirit to help me avoid sinning again.
I read Psalms 139: 23-24: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (NIV).
3 Personal Prayers
After that, I focus on my prayer needs.
I start by reading Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (NIV).
I pray Bible verses about morning prayer for my service and ministry to the Lord.
Then, I pray through the specific fruits of the Holy Spirit and sometimes other words related to character for the development of integrity and holiness.
I may read the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), but generally, I read Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (NIV).
Finally, I pray for my self-care needs.
I find bringing self-care in my morning prayer time gives me the motivation to take better care of myself. I experience peace and joy through faith-driven self-care and know I can serve God at my highest capacity.
4 Prayers of Intercession
I have an ongoing list of prayer needs outside of my own — some are prayer petitions that have been on my list for years, and others for a short time.
The Lord may lead me to Scripture that may be relevant to the prayer needs on my list.
Then, I jump into whatever Bible study or chapter I’ve been reading. Spending time in prayer before reading Scripture helps my mind focus on the new reading for the day.
Then, I read 2 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV) “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”
Before I close my prayer time, I do one more thing.
5 Meditate and Listen for God’s Voice
Hearing God’s voice is one of the most critical reasons for spending time in prayer.
In addition to being still, I found that writing my thoughts out is extremely valuable. I don’t always write my ideas in a particular journal. A small note pad allows me to express my ideas effectively – even when plans don’t make sense in my head.
So often, this is where I ‘hear’ God telling me what He wants me to do and why He wants me to continue bringing self-care in my morning prayer with Him. My journal notes are a testament to how closely my self-care activities relate to how intentional I am about serving the Lord.
In closing, having this simple 5-step process and a list of my favorite Bible verses about morning prayer has helped me be consistent about spending quiet time with God.
Intentionally placing my self-care needs in my morning prayer time has helped me to serve and worship the Lord at my highest capacity. I encourage you to see if this prayer process can help you too!
Find your own Bible verses about morning prayer and transform your time with the Lord!Â
10 Favorite Bible Verses about Morning Prayer
- Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28) (NLT).
- So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) (NIV).
- Â But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:16 (NLT)Â
- Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 (NIV).
- Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139: 23-24 (NIV).
- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV).
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22, (NIV).
- Â You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
- Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18 (NIV)
- Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 (NASB)
Lisa Kimrey is a writer and speaker. She writes at mylifenurse.com where she shares how to care for your life as you serve and care for others. Lisa has worked for 27 years as an RN in a variety of roles but her passion is teaching patients self-care to manage their illness or disease. She is a wife, mom, and a chai tea enthusiast. Go to her website to get a FREE 5-DAY BIBLE STUDY ‘Be Well Through Worship’.