Maybe you know the feeling.

You sit down with your coffee, open your journal to a fresh page, pick up your pen … and then stare at the blank page with slow blinking eyes, … thinking, now what?

You don’t know what to write.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. One of the biggest obstacles to creating a consistent journaling habit is knowing what to put on the page once you have that journal spread open before you.

That’s why daily journal prompts can be incredibly helpful. Instead of asking your half-awake brain to come up with something profound at 6:30 in the morning, a good prompt gives you a place to begin.

And that’s really all you need: a place to begin.

And I’m here to help! 

I’m Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of multiple bestselling books including two guided journals, The Every Morning Journal and Stuff I’d Only Tell God. I coach people on journaling, but more than that, I’ve been doing this myself for years. I’ve filled numerous journals with prayers, Scripture reflections, gratitude, questions, worries, hopes, and the ordinary stuff of everyday life. 

So I know firsthand that journaling doesn’t have to be complicated, profound, or time-consuming to be meaningful.

Sometimes, you just need the right question to get you started. Let’s give it a go!

Why Use Daily Journal Prompts in the Morning?

I’m a big believer in paying attention to what gets our first attention, especially upon waking. 

The morning can quickly get away from us when texts start pinging and headlines start shouting. Before you know it, chaos has ensued, and everyone is telling us what they need from us, and we’ve accidentally skipped over something we consider important: talking with God at the start of the day.

There is something powerful about taking a few minutes in the morning to notice what’s happening in your heart, soul, mind, and body, … and then to bring all of it before God.

Morning journaling can help you with that. Journal prompts can help ask questions like:

What am I carrying into this day?

What am I grateful for?

What needs my attention today – and what doesn’t?

What is God saying to me through His Word?

How am I doing, really?

Your morning journal doesn’t have to become another item on your to-do list. And you certainly don’t need to fill three pages before breakfast.

I have learned that some mornings, a few sentences about how you’re REALLY feeling are more than enough.

What Should I Write in My Journal Every Morning?

This is where daily journal prompts can take away so much of the pressure.

You don’t have to sit down every morning and wonder, What in the world am I going to write about today?

The questions are already waiting for you.

I’ve got lots of journal prompts to share with you, but rather than simply handing you a giant list of random questions, I want to show you what this can actually look like in practice.

In fact, I’m about to share with you some of the exact prompts I created for you inside of The Every Morning Journal.

In the journal, each morning’s pages begin with a single Scripture and then guide you through four areas of your life: heart, soul, mind, and strength.

You’ll have space to pray, reflect on Scripture, notice what’s happening inside you, name your priorities, practice gratitude, and pay attention to the body God gave you.

And then comes one of my favorite parts.

Each day’s Scripture becomes the jumping-off point for a couple of unique daily prompts that invite you to go a little deeper.

Take a peek!

Daily Journal Prompts for Waiting on God

Let’s give it a try, with the first morning pages of The Every Morning Journal.

Day One begins with these words from Psalm 5:

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.”
– Psalm 5:3

Step 1: Before moving into the day’s unique prompts, you’ll have a chance to check in with your Heart and Soul, in the section titled “Heart and Soul.”

In this section, you write a simple morning prayer. Try it now on a piece of paper! Dear God, _____________.

Step 2: Jot down what stood out to you in the day’s Scripture show above (Psalm 5:3), and how it might guide you. 

Step 3: Answer this question from the journal, one that I especially love:

What is weighing on your heart – or lifting it up –this morning?

I love the or in that question, because not every morning is heavy.

Some mornings, something is lifting us up. Something has made us hopeful or excited or grateful. Journaling gives us a place to notice both.

Step 4: You’ll move into the Mind section, where you’ll consider your intention for the day, your top three priorities, and something you’re grateful for. Take a moment to jot down your answers on a piece of paper.

Step 5: You’ll fill out the Strength section of the journal – where you think about your physical self. Take a moment to answer these questions on paper: 

How do you actually feel today? Rested? Tired? Energized? 

What would it look like to honor the body God gave you through movement and nourishment?

Step 6: Only then do we return to the day’s Scripture and go a little deeper. In today’s Scripture above, Psalm 5:3, we are given this beautiful picture of someone bringing requests to God – and then waiting expectantly.

So here are two prompts to consider for Psalm 5:3:

Here’s a place in my life where I am waiting for God to move:

Here’s how God has met me in a past season of waiting:

See what we’re doing here? When we are journaling, we are paying attention, remembering, noticing. We are also looking back for evidence of God’s faithfulness.

And tomorrow, the questions on the pages of the journal will be different, something like this: 

Daily Journal Prompts for Noticing Gladness

Let’s practice again, this time with Psalm 118:24:

“This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

You’ve probably heard that verse dozens – maybe hundreds – of times.

But what happens when we slow down long enough to ask ourselves what gladness actually looks like in our own lives?

After your heart, soul, mind, and strength check-in, consider these two prompts, taken straight from The Every Morning Journal:

1. This is the last time I felt truly, deeply glad — the kind of glad that I felt way down in my soul:
2. Here is the name of one place, person, or memory that prompts deep gladness in me:

Don’t rush past those questions.

Maybe your answer is a person sitting across the breakfast table, or it’s a place you’ve loved since childhood. Maybe it’s the sound of your grandchildren laughing, or a memory from a vacation, or a walk through the woods just outside the city. Think about a hymn you haven’t heard in years. Does that bring gladness? Or even consider an ordinary weekday afternoon when, for just a moment, everything felt right.

Write it down and linger in the gratitude it brings to your heart.

Having a meaningful journaling practice isn’t simply documenting what happened.

It’s learning to notice your life while you’re living it.

20 Daily Journal Prompts to Start Your Morning

Here are 20 more daily journal prompts you can use first thing in the morning. These prompts aren’t taken from the pages of The Every Morning Journal. But they are great questions to help you pay attention to God, to yourself, and to the day ahead.

And don’t worry. You don’t have to answer all 20 before breakfast! Choose one or two that speak to you today, and start there. Then come back tomorrow to answer two more!

1. What am I most grateful for this morning?
2. What am I carrying into this day that I need to give to God?
3. What am I looking forward to today?
4. What feels heavy right now?
5. What is one thing I know to be true about God, no matter how I feel today?
6. Where have I noticed God’s faithfulness lately?
7. What deserves my attention today?
8. What does not deserve my attention today?
9. What am I worried about that I cannot control?
10. What do I need from God today?
11. Who is on my heart this morning, and how can I pray for that person?
12. Who could use some encouragement from me today?
13. What is one small thing I could do today to make someone else’s day better?
14. What is something good in my life right now that I don’t want to take for granted?
15. What am I learning about myself in this season?
16. What am I learning about God in this season?
17. Where do I need wisdom today?
18. What am I tempted to rush through today that I could slow down and enjoy instead?
19. What is one ordinary thing in my life right now that I someday might miss?
20. When my head hits the pillow tonight, what would make me look back and say, “That was a good day”?

Want even more journal prompts? I have a bunch more waiting for you in this article, Morning Journal Prompts: What to Write to Start Your Day with God. 

Why The Every Morning Journal Follows the Shema

You may have noticed that the daily journal prompts I shared from The Every Morning Journal are organized around four words: heart, soul, mind, and strength.

There’s a reason!

The framework comes from an ancient Jewish prayer called the Shema, which begins in Deuteronomy 6 with these words:

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
– Deuteronomy 6:4–5

For centuries, faithful Jews have recited the Shema as part of their daily prayers, including in the morning.

Here’s a cool fact: Jesus knew these words, too. In fact, as a devout Jew, He likely would have prayed those words every morning. We know these words were important to Jesus, because when someone asked Jesus which commandment was the most important, He answered by reaching back to the Shema:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
— Mark 12:30

Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength.

Those four words became the framework for The Every Morning Journal.

I wanted our morning ritual to echo the morning ritual of Jesus, helping us begin each day by offering our whole selves to God. 

Our hearts.

Our souls.

Our minds.

Even our bodies.

That’s why the journal gives you space to notice what’s happening in all four areas. We get to love Him with every part of who we are and every part of the day ahead.

Want Daily Journal Prompts Waiting for You Every Morning?

If these prompts have been helpful to you, I’d love for you to consider The Every Morning Journal.

I created this journal for people who want to spend meaningful time with God in the morning but don’t always know where to begin – or what to write once they get there.

Inside the journal, you’ll find:

• Scripture for every morning

• guided space to check in with your heart, soul, mind, and strength

• and unique journal prompts every single day that help you go deeper with the day’s verse.

In other words, you don’t have to come up with the questions. They’re already waiting for you. Yay!

My hope is that The Every Morning Journal becomes a place where you meet with God, pay attention to what He’s doing in your life, and begin your days with the One who loves you most.

You can learn more about The Every Morning Journal and get your copy here.

A quick note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The post Daily Journal Prompts: What to Write First Thing Each Day appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.

These daily Bible promises for your morning are timeless truths from Scripture to help you trust God, find peace for the day ahead, and remember how deeply He treasures you.

I’m a visual person (and an outdoorsy person) so when I think of God’s promises, I think of the morning sun as it rises over our farm, often with a symphony of colors. To me, it always feels as if God is smiling wide, filling the clouds with laughter, abundantly showcasing His joy with light. On those mornings when I slow down to notice, I sometimes think to myself, “Perhaps I am the only one to catch the majesty from this precise angle at this precise time.”

How cool, that God would make an unrepeatable sunrise just for me. And just for you!

Our God is not the sort of God who holds back any part of Himself from us. He doesn’t hold back His love. Or His peace. Or His wisdom or strength or presence. 

God is generous with His creativity. I mean, just think about the quadrillion beautiful shades of color our eyes can take in — and a quadrillion more that we can’t! And then, there’s the breathless rustle of birds winging their way through a sky He created. 

And most certainly, mornings are a reminder that God’s mercies are new, and His promises are true. His promises are kind and generous — the kind of promises only His great heart could imagine.

(And if you’re looking for more simple ways to begin your day with God, here are a few practices that can help you do exactly that, even when life feels hard.)

Let’s tuck a few of those promises into our hearts this morning, shall we?

6 Daily Bible Promises To Start Your Morning

I have loved you with an everlasting love;

    I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

Jeremiah 31:3, NIV

This Scripture promise is perfect for the mornings when you feel unlovable or overlooked. We all have those days, right? No matter how insignificant you feel, my friend, the truth is that God’s love never wavers. His kindness never fails. Even now, He is calling you into His embrace.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV

I love this Bible verse for the times I feel alone, anxious, or unable to fix something that weighs heavily on my spirit and my mind. Maybe you’ve been there.

What a powerful promise – that God goes ahead of us into every battle we face. He stays with us as the storm rages. He never walks away from us when we are in need.

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Ephesians 1:7, NLT

Let that sink in for a moment. Sometimes I find myself glossing over a familiar verse, but this is too good to miss. God’s kindness and grace are rich. Think the most decadent-chocolate-fudge-cake-topped-with-vanilla-bean-gelato-and-curls-of-Belgium-dark-chocolate kind of rich – then multiply it times a million. The most melt-in-your-mouth morsel of dessert can’t match the richness of God’s promises.

It’s this bottomless goodness that made a way back to God possible for us. We are invited into freedom and forgiveness because God simply can’t stop Himself from loving us.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

John 14:27, NLT

For the days your mind can’t rest: peace of mind. For the mornings your heart is heavy: peace of heart. God promises peace that stretches into every area of our lives. What’s better? It’s a gift. We don’t acquire this peace through an ounce of our own effort. It’s God freely giving Himself to us.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

1 John 5:14, NIV

This Scripture promise lies on a well-worn page of my Bible. I’m reminded that God welcomes me daily. He listens to my prayers. He wants me to grow to understand His heart and His ways so I can pray in accordance with Him.

When my heart is burdened to pray for someone I care about, this Bible verse strengthens me. When I forget that prayer makes a difference, this promise renews my passion to pray. And when I feel unworthy to approach God, His invitation right here in His word reminds me of the truth.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Romans 8:26-28, as paraphrased in The Message

Ever get tired of waiting? I definitely do! What comfort to know that exactly when we feel like giving up, God is right there, ready to help. When we don’t have the words to form a prayer, the Spirit meets us there, interceding for us even in our sighs and groans.

You and I can rest in this assurance: God is at work, even when we can’t see it. He has our best interests at heart. He’s wise, patient, and powerful. He can turn ALL things around for something good. Thank you, Jesus.

Pin the Daily Bible Promises

Save these Bible promises so you can find them on a rough morning. Do you have a friend who could use some encouragement? Send these daily Bible promises her way!

Want to Keep Building a Better Morning?

If these promises encouraged you, I’d love to help you create a morning rhythm that gives you more of what you just experienced here — more peace, more purpose, and more of God. I’ve created an entire suite of morning resources to help you do exactly that.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of my links, at no additional cost to you.

Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee with Twyla Franz

The post 6 Daily Bible Promises That Will Make Your Morning Better appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.

Looking for morning journal prompts to help you grow closer to God? 

Grab your coffee mug and let’s sit here at my kitchen table. There’s room next to me. And can I just say? I love to journal, and it would be my joy to be your journaling mentor.

If you’ve ever opened a journal in the morning and thought, Okay … what am I supposed to write? … you’re in the right place.

Morning journaling doesn’t have to be complicated or take half an hour. You also don’t have to consider yourself a writer. And you definitely don’t need perfect penmanship. A simple journal prompt can help you slow your thoughts, notice what’s happening in your heart, practice gratitude, bring your worries to God, and begin your day with greater intention.

And there’s something especially meaningful about meeting with God in the morning. It’s a rhythm Jesus Himself modeled.

As Mark tells us, “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35 NIV).

Now, I’m not saying Jesus will wake you up at “dark o’thirty” every day for a holy meetup (though He might!). The important thing here isn’t the time, it’s the Who. 

You don’t need a perfect morning routine, a fancy journal, or pages and pages of beautiful words. You simply need a place to begin.

That’s what these morning journal prompts are for.

Below, you’ll find simple prompts to help you talk with God, practice gratitude, check in with your heart, and consider how you want to step into the day ahead.

Pick some prompts that speak to you, grab your journal, and let’s begin.

10 Morning Journal Prompts to Help You Grow Closer to God

Not sure what to write? Start with just one of these prompts. You don’t need to answer them all or even work through them in order. Choose one or two that meet you where you are this morning, and write whatever comes to mind.

Think of these prompts less like an assignment and more like a doorway into an honest conversation with God.

1. Lord, this is what’s on my heart today . . .
2. Here’s how I saw You at work yesterday . . .
3. These are the lies I’m tempted to believe this morning . . .
4. What truth from God combats those lies?
5. God, what do you want me to know about You today?
6. What do I need to release to You right now?
7. This morning, I thank You for . . .
8. Here’s where I am in need of healing today . . .
9. God, what would it look like for me to live with holy purpose today? I’m listening …
10. God, how can I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength today?

8 Positive Morning Journal Prompts for Gratitude and Joy

Some mornings, journaling can be as simple as noticing what is good. Gratitude helps us pay attention to gifts we might otherwise hurry past and to recognize God’s goodness in the ordinary moments of our lives.

Try one of these positive journal prompts to begin your morning with gratitude and joy:

1. What is one ordinary gift I don’t want to overlook today?
2. What am I looking forward to today?
3. What made me smile yesterday?
4. Where have I noticed God’s goodness lately?
5. Who am I especially grateful for this morning, and why?
6. What is going well in my life that I sometimes take for granted?
7. What is something beautiful I can notice right where I am?
8. How can I bring a little joy to someone else today?

6 Morning Journal Prompts for Hard or Anxious Mornings

Of course, not every morning feels joyful. Some mornings we wake up worried, disappointed, grieving, overwhelmed, or simply weary.

Those mornings don’t disqualify us from meeting with God. In fact, they may be the mornings when an honest conversation with Him matters most.

If today is one of those mornings, try one of these:

1. What feels especially heavy this morning?
2. What am I trying to control that I need to place in God’s hands?
3. What is true about God even though my circumstances are hard?
4. What do I need from God today?
5. What is one small, faithful next step I can take today?
6. If I could say absolutely anything to God right now, what would I say?

But, Jennifer, I’m Not a Journaler!

If you feel like you’re back in freshman English class, staring at a blank screen with a bad case of writer’s block, let’s pause right here.

Journaling isn’t something you’re good or bad at. It’s something you either do or don’t do.  

Maybe you’re not a journaler (yet) because no one told you that you can be. But now this tug to grow closer to God has your attention. 

Here’s the thing: Journaling is not about perfect handwriting or correctly spelled words. It’s not about punctuation or grammar or any of the things you were graded on in school. It’s not about how much you write. It’s simply that you write.

Putting pen to paper means that you’re a journaler.

Writing down your prayers, your gratitude, or the swirling thoughts as you process through something with God? All of this counts. In fact, journaling can actually be a form of prayer.

And yes, journaling can be digital, too. If you’d rather open a note on your phone or type on a computer, you are just as much a journaler as someone who prefers paper.

Repeat after me: I am a journaler.

Then, pick one of the morning journal prompts above and simply begin. Keep your conversation with God casual, like you’d talk to a friend.

What Should I Write in My Morning Journal?

If you’re wondering what to write in your morning journal, start with what’s already there: your real, ordinary (and wonderful) actual life.

You don’t have to come to the page with something profound to say. Write about what’s on your heart. Write about what you’re grateful for. Write about what you’re worried about. Write down a verse you want to carry with you. Write about the person you can’t stop thinking about, the decision you need to make, or the thing you’re looking forward to.

Most mornings, you can begin with a few simple questions:

What is God saying to me through His Word?
Write down a verse or phrase that stands out to you. Then jot down why you think it caught your attention.

What am I grateful for?
Name something specific, even something small. The first sip of coffee counts.

What’s happening inside of me?
Check in with yourself honestly. How are your heart, soul, mind, and strength this morning? What feels full? What feels depleted? Where might you need God’s help?

What do I need to give to God?
Write down the worry, fear, frustration, person, or situation you’ve been carrying. Your journal can become a place where you turn what you’re carrying into prayer.

How do I want to step into this day?
Think about what matters most today. Is there someone you want to encourage? Something you need to accomplish? A way you want to show up differently?

And remember: you don’t have to answer all of these every morning.

Some mornings you might fill a page. Other mornings, you might write three sentences while the coffee is brewing.

Both count.

And remember: you don’t have to answer all of these every morning.

Some mornings you might fill a page. Other mornings, you might write three sentences while the coffee is brewing.

Both count.

Because ultimately, morning journaling isn’t about how many words you put on a page. It’s about creating space to meet with God.

If you and I were still sitting together at my kitchen table, this is the point where I’d lean over and remind you of this promise:

“The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth.”
– Psalm 145:18 NLT

I want you to believe down to your toes that God is moved by your desire to be closer to Him.

Bring your expectancy, and He’ll meet you.

Bring your thanks, and He’ll meet you.

Bring your worries, your questions, your grief. God longs to meet you there.

Keep seeking. Keep knocking. Keep journaling. 

A Simple 5-Minute Morning Journaling Routine

Maybe you’re thinking, Jennifer, this all sounds wonderful. But my mornings are already full.

I hear you.

That’s exactly why I created The Every Morning Journal: 5 Minutes to Start Your Day with Faith, Joy, and Productivity.

I wanted to create something that would take all the guesswork out of morning journaling—no staring at a blank page wondering what to write, no elaborate routine, and no pressure to fill page after page.

Just five intentional minutes with God to help you begin your day well.

Each morning, The Every Morning Journal gives you a simple place to:

• Connect with God through Scripture
• Practice gratitude
• Check in with your heart, soul, mind, and strength
• Reflect on a fresh (and sometimes surprising!) journal prompt

And guess what? You don’t have to have a “good morning” to use it.

You can bring the morning you actually have.

Five minutes. Your real life. God right there with you.

Perhaps someone — a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or a neighbor — came to mind as you journaled. Would you consider sharing these morning journaling prompts to help her get closer to God? 

Frequently Asked Questions About Morning Journaling

What should I write in my morning journal?

Start with what’s actually on your heart and mind. You might write a prayer, something you’re grateful for, a verse that speaks to you, a worry you need to give to God, or an intention for the day. If you’re staring at a blank page, choose one of the morning journal prompts above and simply begin.

When is the best time of day to journal?

There’s no wrong time to journal, but I especially love morning journaling because it gives you an opportunity to connect with God before the demands of the day take over. Even five minutes can help you begin the day with greater faith and intention.

How long should I journal in the morning?

You don’t need thirty minutes, or even fifteen. Some days you may want to write several pages, while other days five minutes is plenty. Consistency matters more than length. Start small and choose a rhythm you can realistically return to.

Do I need to journal every morning?

No. There’s no rule that says you have to journal every day. But journaling consistently can help it become a familiar rhythm rather than one more thing you have to remember to do. If you miss a morning, simply begin again the next day.

Can journaling be a form of prayer?

Absolutely. Prayer doesn’t have to be spoken aloud. Almost all of my journaling reads like a prayer! Writing honestly to God about your gratitude, questions, fears, hopes, and needs can become a meaningful way to pray and spend time with Him.

What are morning pages, and are they the same as morning journaling?

Morning pages generally refer to the practice of writing several pages of free-flowing thoughts first thing in the morning, without editing or overthinking them. Morning journaling can be much more flexible. You might use a journal prompt, write a prayer, reflect on Scripture, practice gratitude, or simply write about what’s on your mind.

Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee with Twyla Franz

The post Morning Journal Prompts: What to Write to Start Your Day with God appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.

Mornings can be beautiful, but they can also be brutal.

Some mornings arrive wrapped in joy, with sunlight streaming across your kitchen floor and coffee warming your hands. Other mornings feel dark, heavy, uncertain. Maybe today is one of those harder mornings for you.

If you’re waking up in the middle of a battle, unsure of how to face the day ahead, here’s a vision to hold onto…

A Morning Vision: God Beside You at Sunrise

So you sit next to God, on the ground, faced toward the morning horizon where the sky is still dark. God stretches out His arm and points to that thin line where sky kisses earth. He pulls you close, so you can look straight down His arm and toward the sky.

“Watch what I can do,” He says.

And it happens. The sun peeks over that thin line on the horizon. It gets brighter, so bright you can’t look straight at the light anymore.

God is here. He is holding you close … so close you can hear His heart beating.

He won’t let go.

Can you feel it?

Whatever battle you’re in right now, God is already sitting down inside of it. And He’s inviting you to the best seat in the house — right next to Him. The One who brings the brightest light to warm a world … is bringing light to your own personal battle.

There is no God like our God, who deliberately chooses to sit with us in every darkness. And from there, He leads us toward light.

Sometimes, He’ll ask you to stand up and fight. But often, He’ll simply ask you to sit beside Him — and lean in close to His heart while you wait for the light together.

This excerpt of “God Beside You at Sunrise” is from my book, How to Love Your Morning, a bestselling resource that helps you begin your day with God.

Why It’s Powerful to Begin Your Day with God

To begin your day with God is to recognize that you don’t walk into the morning alone. You begin not with your to-do list, not with your worries, not with your phone — but with His presence.

Even if you only have a moment of quiet, that can be enough to reorient your heart and remind your soul these important truths:

God is with me. God is for me. I don’t have to do this on my own.

5 Simple Ways to Begin Your Day with God

If you’re wondering what it actually looks like to start your day with God, know this: It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. These five simple practices can help you welcome His presence into your morning — no matter your schedule, your struggles, or your starting point.

1. Whisper a “good morning” prayer before your feet hit the floor.

Before the demands of the day find you, let your first words be for God … and toward God. Even a simple prayer like “Lord, this day is Yours. Walk with me,” can shift your focus and ground you in His presence. (Bonus points if you do this before you open your mobile phone! It makes a difference!)

I regularly remind myself that I don’t need perfect words in my prayers, nor do I need to be wide awake and ready to take on the day. I just need a willing heart that seeks Him first – even when my hair is sticking out in seven different directions and my brain is begging for coffee! A simple moment of surrender after you open your eyes invites peace before productivity, and it reminds you that you’re not stepping into the day alone.

Mother Teresa used to encourage people to pray, “Good morning, Jesus” before they begin their day. I love that!

So let that prayer be your first exhale of trust:

“Good morning, Jesus. I’m Yours.”

2. Read one verse while the coffee brews.

Mornings are often rushed, especially if you’re caring for a family, heading to work, or simply trying to gather yourself emotionally. That’s why starting small is powerful.

While your coffee brews or your tea steeps, read one Bible verse. Yes, it counts if it is just one verse! Maybe the verse is on your phone’s lock screen or scribbled on an index card above the sink. Let it be something that breathes life into your soul — a reminder of who God is and what He says about you.

By my coffee maker, I also keep a list of people I am praying for. So, while my coffee brews, I’m able to use that list as a guide. It feels so good to know that I’ve actually prayed for the people who asked me to pray!

Also, know this: you don’t have to do a full-on Bible study to begin your day with God. If you have the time for that, awesome! But even a few intentional minutes with God can become an anchor, and a companion that you carry through the hours ahead.

3. Keep a journal nearby to write one sentence of gratitude or surrender.

You don’t have to be a “journaler” to write something meaningful.

Try this: Before you open your email or scroll your feed, jot down one or two sentences.

It might be a thank You:

“God, thank You for the gift of today.”

It might be a help me:

“God, I surrender this anxiety to You.”

It might even be an I don’t know what to say:

“God, I’m here. That’s all I’ve got right now.”

Writing slows you down and makes space for intentionality. It turns your morning into a conversation with God instead of a sprint into the world.

4. Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror with a reminder like, “Begin your day with God.”

Sometimes, the most powerful spiritual practices start with simple visual cues.

Place a sticky note where you’ll see it every morning – on the mirror, the fridge, your laptop, or even the dashboard of your car. Write a phrase that prompts you to connect with God before everything else rushes in.

Try these:

• “Begin your day with God.”
• “Before the world speaks, I will listen to God.”
• “Pause. Pray. Proceed.”

This visible reminder isn’t to create guilt. Instead, it’s all about grace. It’s a way to reset your focus and re-center your soul.

5. Listen to a worship song or Scripture audio as you get ready.

Not every morning gives us the margin to sit for long periods in our quiet-time chair. 

But we can still use our mornings to tune our ears to God. While you’re getting ready for the day, play a worship song that lifts your spirit or an audio Bible reading while you’re brushing your teeth, drying your hair, and making breakfast. There are some great Christian podcasts that can lift your spirits, too! Let God’s truth be the first voice you hear.

Here are 3 options:

• The Bible Recap: Tara-Leigh Cobble pairs a chronological daily Bible reading with an approximately eight-minute recap explaining what you just read.

• Daily Audio Bible: It takes listeners through the entire Bible in a year, with a new reading every day. Episodes tend to be around 30–45 minutes, so it’s great for walking, commuting, getting ready, etc.

• First15: This is a short daily devotional podcast that helps you begin your day with God through Scripture, reflection, worship, and guided prayer.

What we listen to first often shapes how we think and feel all day long. Choosing to begin your day with God in this way invites beauty and peace into ordinary routines.

You might not have a “quiet time” every morning, in the chaos of a busy home, but you can have a God-centered time – even while you’re doing the things life requires. Amen? 

When You Need Morning Encouragement to Start Your Day

This is your morning reminder: You don’t have to rise strong. You just have to “rise close.” What I mean by that is, … we can rise “close” to the One who never leaves our side.

Even when it’s still dark, God is with you in the morning.

Begin your day with God, even if all you can do is breathe His name.

When your heart feels heavy, your prayers feel hollow, and your sunrise seems slow to come,  lean in to Jesus. Let Him hold you while you wait. His presence is not dependent on your strength; it’s anchored in His.

If you need some help waking up well, try my suite of morning resources:

How to Love Your Morning book

How to Love Your Morning Bible Study

The Every Morning Journal

FAQ: Begin Your Day with God

Q: What does it mean to begin your day with God?
A: It means intentionally inviting God into your morning, whether through prayer, Scripture, worship, or simply a posture of surrender. It’s about acknowledging His presence before anything else, including your mobile phone and its many pinging demands.

Q: I’m busy. Can I still start my day with God if I only have a few minutes?
A: Absolutely. Beginning your day with God doesn’t require a long, structured routine. A one-minute prayer, a whispered verse, or a moment of stillness can open your heart to His presence.

Q: Do I have to be an early-bird type of person to meet with God in the morning?
A: Not at all. This is less about the clock and more about the posture of your heart. God honors your desire to begin the day with Him, no matter how groggy or weary you feel — and no matter what time you wake up. I like to say, “It’s not a clock thing; it’s a God Thing!”

Save this for later. Print it out, bookmark it on your computer, or share it with a friend who needs a reminder that God is with you in the morning. Even in your darkest hour, He is the Light that never leaves.

Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee

If you liked this, you’d also like:

• 50 Morning Quotes to Make Your Day Better
• Why You Feel Overwhelmed in the Morning and What Helps
• Jennifer’s huge library of morning resources (worksheets, lockscreens and more) Access the entire library here.

This post contains affiliate links to my books, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of these links, at no additional cost to you.

The post How to Begin Your Day With God When Life Is the Hardest appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.

Saturdays are a gift to the soul, like an exhale after a long week. They’re a chance to slow down and remember the wins, the God-winks, and the weird things that made you laugh.

Here’s your quick Saturday morning prayer, as you take a few moments to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness during the past week.

A Saturday Morning Prayer to Tell God Thanks

Hi God. It’s me, [insert your name].

Thank You for the sky over my head, the richness of outside air, and the steadiness of the ground under my feet.

Lord, You are exactly like that: steady, reliable, faithful.

As I look back over my week, I see how You were present.

Your peace held me as I made that hard decision.

Your wisdom led me when I didn’t know what to do next.

Your kindness met me when I looked in the mirror.

Your joy filled me with strength when I was weary.

Your grace made space for fresh starts and forgiveness.

Thank You for ____________ [name a small win that made your week]. I couldn’t have done that without You.

Thank You for ____________ [name something you’re sure made God wink]. I felt loved in that moment.

Thank You for ____________ [something that made you laugh]. It made my heart feel lighter.

I give You the rest of this Saturday. Keep my eyes open to see You in it.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When God Feels Smaller Than The Problems

Whenever I’m outside — whether it’s a hot summer day or a chilly winter morning — I like to tip my head back and take in the sky for a moment. It reminds me that God is bigger than what I can see. 

Because sometimes in the busyness of the week, I confess, He starts to feel smaller than the problems I’m facing. I know that isn’t actually true at all, but at times, in the chaos of life, I can believe the lie. 

Maybe it goes like that for you as well.

You wake up in the middle of the night, fists tight around your worries.

You wander through your day with low-level anxiety.

You release your burdens to God, then take them back, over and over again.

You try to figure it all out yourself instead of inviting help.

Feeling my smallness under a vast expanse of sky puts it into perspective. I don’t have to know, control, decide, or fix everything. That’s God’s job.

God is infinitely more powerful, knowledgeable, and capable than me:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

– Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV

Sometimes I need to preach those verses to myself, to remind myself who to trust. And maybe, under today’s blue sky or gray sky or brush-stroked sky, you need to do the same.

Not me, but You, God.

Not my plans, but Yours.

Not my wisdom, my timing, or my goals. Only Yours, Lord!

A Decision to Be More Grateful

A weekend prayer puts my focus back on God, who is both magnificent and present. Taking a moment to tell Him thanks fills me with peace. I slow my breathing, and when I do, the tension I’m still carrying from the week begins to lift.

Gratitude wells up inside me, like tears I can’t stop, but the very good kind. Once I start paying attention to the gifts that filled my week, I think of more God-winks: a sunset over the fields, wind in my hair, a song at just the right time, an unexpected phone call from a daughter, and long walks down these country roads. 

Here’s what I’m learning: I can’t be grateful and ungrateful at the exact same time. 

Telling God “thank you” is the best decision I can make at the close of a week that was filled with a lot of good, but plenty of hard too. It helps me see the little wins I miss in the midst of unmet goals, disappointment, and things I wish I could fix. Wonder is here at my fingertips if only I’ll reach for it by pausing to say thanks.

At times, thanks is effortless. Other times, gratitude requires the diligence it would take to find a cell phone lost in a corn field.

I want to be the sort of woman who praises God no matter what. When my heart is full and when joy is hard to find. When mornings feel like a gift and when they don’t. When I can spy a miracle and when I’ve prayed a long, long time, but nothing has changed. When I feel grateful and especially when I don’t yet.

Praise Comes First

On the days gratitude simply feels impossible, I think of Paul and Silas, praying and praising from their jail cell. Do you know the story?

We meet these two early church missionaries in the book of Acts. They’re headed to a prayer meeting but run into trouble along the way — serious trouble that lands them in jail on false charges.

But what do Paul and Silas do? They pray anyway. They lift their voices in worship. They bring that prayer meeting right into the dank, dark prison in the dead of night (Acts 16:25).

And it changes things.

God intervenes. Literally shakes the place with an earthquake and sets them free.

But here’s the thing. Paul and Silas didn’t know God would answer in this way. They chose to praise, not because God had to prove Himself worthy, but because they knew He already was. Even if tomorrow didn’t end well.

I’m holding onto this: If I wait for everything to get better before I praise God, I’ll miss the peace that fills a heart that trusts Him.

So for both of us, here are some ways we can tell God “thank you” right now, in the middle of all that’s still being worked out in our lives.

5 Ways to Become More Grateful

• Borrow this Saturday morning prayer. It’s okay if you don’t have words of your own to pray right now. That’s what I’m here for!
• Take a prayer walk and tell God thank you as you pass trees, houses, and other people.
• Stand in the yard, look up at the sky, and whisper the ways God’s been good to you this week.
• Say “thank you” breath prayers as you make your coffee. As you slowly inhale, say “Thank you, God . . . ” Then, as you exhale, say “ . . . for my ___________.” Fill in the blank with various gifts, like family and friends, the roof over your head, and the coffee filling your mug.
• Read my book, How to Love Your Morning. I wrote an entire chapter for you on finding gratitude when your morning feels overwhelming.

Was this Saturday prayer helpful? Share it with a friend who also needs a chance to exhale at the end of her week.

How to Love Your Morning

If you want to level-up your mornings, order your copy of my book⁠ How to Love Your Morning and my companion morning Bible study, How to Love Your Morning Bible Study. Be sure to also check out my free morning resources, here.

After your Saturday Morning Prayer, What’s Next?

I have lots of other prayers, blessings, and articles for you! Here are a few I think you’d enjoy:

50 Morning Quotes to Make Your Day Better

8 Beautiful Prayers to Start Your Day and Grow Your Faith

Sunday Morning Prayer

Monday Morning Prayer

Tuesday Morning Prayer

Wednesday Morning Prayer

Thursday Morning Prayer

Friday Morning Prayer

Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee with Twyla Franz

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The post A Quick Saturday Morning Prayer to Make You More Grateful appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.

Interspersed amongst the morning quotes are lines from my book, How to Love Your Morning. The book (and the Bible study) are helping women all over the world wake up with hope and joy, aware of God’s fresh mercies as they begin each new day.

I believe that mornings are often where we feel the fresh mercy of God most clearly. Do you need that today? 

God sees where you feel weighed down, afraid, or alone. He knows the wisdom and strength you need. He hears the prayers you whisper at night. And His mercy reaches higher than your fear, deeper than your questions, and wider than all in front of you that feels impossible. May His mercy meet you – overwhelm you – as you read these good morning quotes.

Motivational Good Morning Quotes

I truly can’t think of a better way to start the day than to say to Jesus, “Here it is: a whole new day before me, to love, to enjoy, to treasure. What a privilege it is to be alive, and to start my day with you.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“When you wake up asking ‘What’s wrong?’ you’ll find plenty that’s wrong. But, when you wake up asking ‘What’s possible?’ you’ll discover opportunities you never noticed before.”

— Christine Caine

“A morning routine offers us a fixed point to count on in the midst of our fast-moving worlds.”

— Emily P. Freeman

“There is only one invitation it would kill me to refuse, yet I’m tempted to turn it down all the time. I get the invitation every morning when I wake up to actually live a life of complete engagement, a life of whimsy, a life where love does. It doesn’t come in an envelope. It’s ushered in by a sunrise, the sound of a bird, or the smell of coffee drifting lazily from the kitchen. It’s the invitation to actually live, to fully participate in this amazing life for one more day.” 

— Bob Goff

“There’s just something about the magnificent stubbornness of a morning and its insistence on rising up over this beautiful and baffling world, every single day.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“When we begin our days by spending time with God… it brings healing. There’s no script, no race, no rules. There’s only peace, courage, and strength for the day ahead.”

 — Rebekah Lyons

“The prayer offered to God in the morning during your quiet time is the key that unlocks the door of the day.”

— Adrian Pierce Rogers 

“I never get out of bed in the morning without having communion with God in the Spirit.”

— Smith Wigglesworth

“It’s not about when you wake up. It’s about who you wake up to be.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“Good mornings start the night before in your heart and your head. So, unburden yourself before bed. When you take off your dirty clothes from the day, think of how you are removing the regret and burden of the day.”

— Jennifer Rothschild

Looking for a resource to brighten your morning? Check out my book and Bible study — How to Love Your Morning and the How to Love Your Morning Bible Study. Both resources will level up your mornings!

Christian Good Morning Quotes

“Morning is God’s way of whispering one more time: Make a difference; Touch a heart: Encourage a mind; Inspire a soul; Enjoy the day.”

— Toby Mac

“As long as we are alive, God gives us new mornings, every day. New do-overs, every day. New chances to move forward, every day. New opportunities to make reparations, to seek restoration, to rebuild what was broken. Every single day.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.”

— John Bunyan

“When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on this earth.”

― A.W. Tozer

“You are not going to be taken down by this. One morning at a time, you are already rising.”
― Holley Gerth

“Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now.”

― Elisabeth Elliot

“In the quiet of an early morning, honesty finds me. It calls to me through a crack in my soul and invites the real me to come out, come out, wherever you are. Not the carefully edited edition of the me I am this year. No, honesty wants to speak to the least tidy version of the woman I’ve become. The one I can’t make look more alive with a few swipes of mascara and a little color on my lips.”

― Lysa TerKeurst

“I have complete confidence that God, who does not sleep and who never presses the snooze button, is working while our eyes are closed.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“Think often on God, by day, by night, in your business and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave him not alone.”

― Brother Lawrence

“If God is speaking, then nothing else matters but listening.”

—Brennan Manning

“I love coming into the presence of Jesus. I am usually in my wrinkled pajamas, with sleep breath, no makeup, tousled hair, and a fearful heart—I am naturally a fearful person. But I light my candle and have my tea, and in His presence I find love and acceptance and hope.”

— Sally Clarkson

It turns out God is a morning person. Which means you and I — created in His image — are too.

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

Good Morning Quotes from the book by Jennifer Dukes Lee

“God’s mercies aren’t just new every morning. They’re new every moment.”

— Anna Lee, daughter of Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“There is no God like our God, who deliberately chooses to sit with us in every darkness, while we wait for the light of morning.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“Mornings are a series of little births, little resurrections. Every spin of earth’s axis is another genesis, tinted with hope. There’s nothing more beautiful than the loveliness of the eastern horizon, just before the sun domes above that mesmerizing line of land.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“To God, mornings aren’t just a shift in time—from night to day. Rather, they are an invitation to trust that he is always at work, stitching new mercies into the fabric of each new morning.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

 “Whatever battle stares you down this morning, he is already with you in it, and he is inviting you to the best seat in the house— right next to him. The One who brings the brightest light to illuminate the world . . . is bringing light to your life.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“The mornings I feel the least like singing are the mornings I shall choose to sing the most. The mornings I feel the least like praying are the mornings I shall choose to pray the most.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“To fall in love with your morning isn’t to deny the exhaustion or despair you feel some mornings. Not at all. To fall in love with your morning is to look at the morning sky and choose to feel the wonder at its gilded edges; to reach for the stubborn hope of a new day because you know hope changes things; and to let the protagonist of this story—God himself—wake you up with his love.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“If you are looking for true life change, if you are looking for help in making the big and little decisions of life, if you are looking for clarity in the midst of doubt, there is no better place to start your day than in God’s Word.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“Here I am, Lord, at the cusp of a brand-new day,
in which I choose to love you with
all of my heart
all of my soul
all of my mind
and all of my strength.
Help me, Lord, to love you with all of my morning.
Amen.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

If you want to level-up your mornings, order your copy of my book⁠ How to Love Your Morning and my companion morning Bible study, How to Love Your Morning Bible Study. Be sure to also check out my free morning resources, here.

Gratitude Good Morning Quotes

“I love that God knew we might forget about that fresh start every day, so He sends up the sun to remind us.”

— Ellie Holcomb

“You may believe in God, but never forget – it’s God who believes in you. Every morning that the sun rises and you get to rise? That’s God saying He believes in you, that He believes in the story He’s writing through you. He believes in you as a gift the world needs.”

― Ann Voskamp

“The world settles for mornings that are bearable, at best. We can choose mornings that we love, mornings that are truly beautiful, by choosing gratitude.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“For one who has made thanksgiving the habit of his life, the morning prayer will be, ‘Lord, what will you give me today to offer back to you?’”

— Elisabeth Elliot

“Breathe. You are gifted and deeply valued, but you don’t have to be great because God is great. Now go, today, and be grateful.”

— Lisa Whittle

“I’m grateful that God consistently takes the hardest experiences of my life and turns them into beauty. He tells a better story with my life than I could ever write.”

— Annie F. Downs

“Every morning when you wake up, the reason you go to the Bible first is to remember that no matter how life disappoints you today, no matter what you face, small or big, He is better. Heaven is coming. And you can be okay here. No matter what you face.”

— Jennie Allen

“Each morning, practicing gratitude helps us recognize that the day ahead is not our own—it’s a gift to be lived with God’s purpose in mind, even on the days when life feels overwhelming. Especially on those days.”

— Jennifer Dukes Lee, How to Love Your Morning

“Proverbs 31 wasn’t written so women could wake up every morning feeling behind before coffee.”

— Lisa Harper

“Teach me to extol, and to praise, and to give thanks – when I am surrounded and when it’s just me in the quiet of my heart.”

— Hannah Brencher

Bible Good Morning Quotes

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

— Lamentations 3:22-23

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

— Psalm 5:3 

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

— Psalm 90:14

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

— Psalm 143:8

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

— Proverbs 4:18

“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”

— Isaiah 33:2

“He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”

— Isaiah 50:4

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

— Mark 1:35

Famous Good Morning Quotes

“Work, work, from morning until late at night. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall have to spend the first three hours in prayer.”

— Martin Luther

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” 

— Eleanor Roosevelt 

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” 

— Benjamin Franklin 

“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” 

— Henry David Thoreau

“I think Christ has recommended rising early in the morning, by his rising from the grave very early.”

— Jonathan Edwards

“Every morning when you get up, say, ‘Good morning, Jesus.'”

— Mother Teresa

Why Good Morning Quotes Matter

The words we begin our day with often shape the way we experience the hours that follow. A thoughtful good morning quote can remind us to choose hope over hurry, gratitude over grumbling, and God’s presence over worry. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to share with a friend, encouragement for yourself, or the perfect quote for social media, I hope these morning sayings brighten your day. Which one was your favorite? Share in the comments.

How to Use Morning Quotes

If you are wondering how to use these quotes, here are a few ideas:

• Text one to a friend.
• Write one in your journal.
• Add one to your planner.
• Share one on Instagram.
• Pray through one before starting your day.

A Good Morning Blessing

As you go, please know that I’m praying for you. Praying that as sure as the sun rises, whether we see through the clouds or not, you will know that God is present. He’s patiently waiting with all the kindness in His eyes for you to turn yours toward Him.

No matter the hour, mornings give us that – a chance to turn our attention toward our always praiseworthy God. So much can change when we give Him a little time, no matter how early we arise.

May you awake knowing that God is near.

May you rise with a rustle of hope in your heart.

May you pause in prayerful gratitude.

May you nourish your soul in His Word.

And may you carry the confidence of His unfailing love into every conversation, every challenge, and every ordinary moment this day holds.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Save or Share

To save or share these good morning quotes, tap below!

If you loved these quotes, I think you’d benefit from my book and Bible study, How to Love Your Morning and How to Love Your Morning Bible Study. And don’t forget to also check out my free morning resources, here.

Tomorrow morning, these words will still be here waiting for you.

Until then, may you remember this: God’s mercies are new every morning, and so are the possibilities He has prepared for your life.

Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee with Twyla Franz

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post 50 Good Morning Quotes to Make Your Day Better appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.

Here’s the story:

My dad had a word that he repeated thousands of times in his life: overwhelming.

Dad loved the word and used it regularly.

When most of us say the word overwhelming, we use it to describe times when we are burdened by the too-much-ness of life.

I’ve felt that kind of overwhelm in times of great stress and weariness. You too?

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in the morning—before your feet even hit the floor—you’re not alone.

But Dad tended to use that word (overwhelming) for the best things in life—the most beautiful, most rapturous things in life. He’d use it to describe a perfect ribeye, a fun time with family, or a beautiful sunset. Even something as simple as a Dairy Queen Snickers Blizzard would receive the honor of “overwhelming,” due to Dad’s apparent belief in its culinary genius.

“It’s overwhelming!” he would say.

Why You Feel Overwhelmed in the Morning

Modern usage of the word overwhelming leans heavily toward the negative: being overwhelmed by how hard life can be.

That kind of overwhelm often shows up before our feet even hit the floor in the morning.

Our minds start racing when we think about:

• everything we have to do today
• everything we didn’t finish yesterday
• everything that could go wrong tomorrow

I’ve felt it too.

But what if I told you that it’s possible to be overwhelmed… in a good way?

A Different Kind of Overwhelm

When you dwell on the “good overwhelm” that God places in your life, it changes things.

Dad was proof.

He practiced “good overwhelm” his whole earthly life, even when he was at the very end of it.

One afternoon, six days before he passed away, I sat beside Dad on his bed. He was staring off into a corner of the room. Then a small ribbon of words spilled out … words he had said a thousand times before:

“It’s overwhelming.”

I asked him, “Dad, is it overwhelming in a good way, or in a bad way?”

He had every reason to say overwhelming in a bad way. (Life on hospice is no picnic.)

But he responded, simply:

“Overwhelming in a good way.”

Right then, his trademark smile spread all the way up into his eyes, creasing them at the edges. It was as if the sun could rise and set on his countenance.

I don’t know what Dad saw in that moment. But in my way of thinking, my heavenly Father was giving my earthly father, a little taste of heaven. A little sense of what was to come. A little reminder that when life on Earth feels overwhelming in a bad way, God is still overwhelmingly loving, overwhelmingly kind, overwhelmingly holy, and overwhelmingly present—in the best way possible.

A Morning Prayer for When You Feel Overwhelmed

(From Chapter 8 of How to Love Your Morning)

Are you feeling overwhelming this morning? You can pray this right where you are, or come back to it tomorrow morning before your feet hit the floor.

Let’s pray…

A Liturgy for Being Overwhelmed (in a Good Way) at the Start of Day

Lord of peace,

I come to you with a mind that often feels

overwhelmed in a bad way,

a heart that feels unsteady,

and a spirit seeking stillness in the morning.

Today, I choose to release to you the following:

my anxiety when the day ahead looks overwhelming—but not in a good way

the need to control the hours ahead

my tendency to leap into tomorrow’s challenges and replay yesterday’s mistakes

Lord, let me pause to count the ways I am safe today:

my body breathes

my heart beats

my mind finds its way to you.

I am sheltered, seen, and held by your love.

Remind me to be grateful for these precious gifts.

Today, I will not let worry steal the gift of this morning.

Instead, I will anchor myself in this truth:

You are here right now, and you alone hold my future.

Each morning is an opportunity for “good overwhelm”

to flush out the “bad overwhelm.”

Overwhelm me, O Lord, with your faithfulness,

your goodness, and your nearness.

Overwhelm me, God, in the best way possible.

Amen.

Start Your Morning Differently

If you’re longing for more mornings that feel like this—anchored, steady, even in the middle of real life—How to Love Your Morning was written for you. The words in this post are included in Chapter 8.

Inside the book, you’ll find simple, meaningful ways to meet God in the first moments of your day, along with practical rhythms you can return to again and again.

You can learn more or order your copy by clicking here.

The post Why You Feel Overwhelmed in the Morning (and What Helps) appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.

Maybe it is regret for something you said.

Or the memory of a decision you wish you could undo.

Maybe it is the weight of a week that left your heart feeling broken.

Whatever it is, I want you to know this. You can begin again today. God is holding out His hand, inviting you to begin anew – even if yesterday was unspeakably hard. Let’s start with a morning prayer for today, one that invites God’s mercy to shape your heart and anchor your day in grace.

It is a new morning and a fresh start.

A Morning Prayer For Today

Lord,

Thank You for the gift of a new morning.

Thank You for this fresh start and the promise it holds.

As the sun rises, so does my hope in You.

You have given me another day to live with purpose, to love well, and to walk in grace.

I release the weight of yesterday and receive the mercy You offer today.

Fill my heart with gratitude and my mind with peace.

Help me to embrace this day with joy and trust, knowing You are already in every moment ahead.

Let my thoughts be grounded in truth, and my words speak kindness.

Use me today, Lord, in quiet ways and unexpected places.

Give me eyes to see beauty, even in the ordinary, and courage to keep going, even when the path feels slow.

Help me to honor You with all I do and say today.

To You be the glory, Lord, my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, and Friend.

Thank You for meeting me here. Thank You for this new beginning.

Amen.

Grace Meets You Right Where You Are

Starting over with God is not about erasing the past or forgetting the pain you’ve endured. It is about embracing grace today. We all have days, weeks, or even seasons we wish never happened. Yet here is the beauty in life with God. No matter what we go through, no matter how far we drift, no matter how long it feels we have waited, He always wants to meet with us.

Even this morning.

That truth alone can transform your day. Today can be a great day because His presence is with you.

Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.”

New every morning, fresh and free. That truth is the heart of this prayer for today.

Small Steps Toward a New Beginning

God is in the business of redemption. He does not waste your detours, or your painful circumstances. He does not hold your failures against you. He invites you to begin anew, not as one who is disqualified, but as one who is deeply loved. Sometimes we think starting over requires something dramatic, but often it begins in simple, sacred ways.

Here are some small steps you can take:

Opening your Bible even when it feels dry.

Whispering a prayer even when you feel unworthy.

Returning to worship even with a heavy heart and choosing truth over anything else that burdens you.

These are today’s holy steps.

God does not need you to have all the answers or a perfect plan. He just wants your permission to meet you here. He is not waiting for you to impress Him. He is waiting to embrace you. Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” That right there? It’s a prayer for today from a psalmist who knows the sting of regret, the ache of mess, and the restoring power of God’s love.

Truths to Carry Into Your Day

If you need to begin again with God today, here are three gentle reminders to carry into your morning: No matter your circumstances, God is right beside you. Your mistakes do not erase God’s mercy. Grace is available right now. Not after you prove yourself. Not after you earn it. Right now. God still delights in you. He is not distant or disgusted. He is near and full of compassion.

Whatever yesterday held, whether it was a sharp word, a missed chance, or some pain you endured, today is a new day. And God’s mercies are here waiting for you. This is the invitation to a prayer for today.

Before You Step Into the Day Ahead

You do not need to have it all figured out. You just need to say yes to grace this morning. Let this be the breath where freedom, peace, and joy find you. Let God’s love meet you now.

Morning Blessings for a New Beginning

May you find our loving God drawing near to you today.
May mercy meet you before guilt, shame, or heartbreaking circumstances can speak.
May you feel free to come home to God without hesitation.
May your heart soften and your spirit be renewed.
May you live today deeply aware that you are forgiven, loved, and free to begin again. May you step into the day with the hope of a fresh start and sweet optimism, knowing that Jesus is with you each step of the way.

Feel free to share these blessings with a friend who can use some encouragement.

A Whole Book for New Mornings and Fresh Starts!

If you want to level-up your mornings, order your copy of my book⁠ How to Love Your Morning and my companion morning Bible study, How to Love Your Morning Bible Study. Be sure to also check out my free morning resources, here.

In the meantime, I’ve created the Wake Up Well Checklist — a God-centered morning routine that will help you build a doable morning that tends to both your soul and your schedule. 

And guess what?

The best mornings aren’t perfect.
They’re just pointed in the right direction.

That’s what the Wake Up Well Checklist is all about!

This is a new morning routine checklist that actually works! 

This morning checklist is my gift to you!

Stay tuned for more updates on How to Love Your Morning at JenniferDukesLee.com.

Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee and Dana Hanks

The post A Morning Prayer for Today: The Best Fresh Start appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.

This practice of praying a morning prayer for my children has helped me trust God to watch over them, even when I can’t. This has been so helpful for me now that my girls are grown as well. One of our daughters is serving in full-time ministry in Indonesia, on the other side of the world. And the other is studying for her master’s, on the other side of the country. I’ve found that my most effective parenting strategy as an empty-nester parent? Is prayer.

Perhaps you’re in a struggle to trust God with your kids. Whether they are young or grown, walking with God or choosing their own way, you want the best for them. In moments like this, our best parenting happens … through prayer.

When worry creeps in, as I know it does, you and I can pause right in the moment to pray over our children. When our hearts break, right alongside theirs, we can lift our kids up to Jesus. When they enter new and exciting seasons, we have the ability to bless their next steps. When they face tough decisions, we can ask God to grant them wisdom. And when they doubt their self-worth, we can ask God to be the loudest, kindest voice in their ears. 

Let’s never, ever underestimate the power of prayer. God hears every word you pray, and He loves your children even more than you possibly can.

How I Turn Scripture into a Morning Prayer for My Children

Today, I’d like to walk you through how I pray God’s Word over my girls. Many Bible verses and Scripture passages can easily be personalized as prayers. And you know what? When we pray according to what God has already promised, He says an eager yes!

Turning Bible verses and passages into prayers is quite simple. (I’ll offer a few examples below!) In short, where there is a general pronoun in the Bible verse, insert the name of the person you are praying for. When talking directly to God, you can change Him and He to You.

If the sentence structure feels awkward, adjust it as needed (without changing the meaning). You might:

• Turn questions into statements.
• Add the word “may” to make a statement a blessing.
• Remind yourself of what God has promised.

I’ll show you a few examples, using verses I’ve prayed often over my children and other people in my life.

Personalize Ephesians 1:17-19 as a Prayer

A prayer in the Bible I often turn to when I’m praying for others is one that Paul himself prayed. You can feel the intensity of God’s love and holiness in Paul’s words. When we pray these verses, it’s like we get a glimpse of the relationship Paul had with God—for the person we are praying for, and for ourselves.

This prayer is one I’ve adapted from Ephesians 1:17-19 NIV. I like to add the name of the child I’m praying for. Are you ready? Let’s try this together.

Glorious Father, give (child’s name) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that (he/she) may know You better. I pray that the eyes of (name’s) heart may be enlightened in order that (he/she) may know the hope to which You have called (him/her), the riches of Your glorious inheritance in Your holy people, and Your incomparably great power for us who believe. 

Personalize Psalm 91 as a Prayer

Psalm 91 is a powerful prayer of blessing and protection, and it’s one of my favorites to pray over my daughters. This is a prayer you can’t wear out, even if you pray it daily. Not only are you covering your children in the faithfulness of God, you’re also reminding your own heart that you can trust God with them.

When praying scripture over children (or other people), feel free to use the Bible translation you’re most familiar with, or reach for another with language that sounds more similar to how you speak. 

The following prayer is adapted (and shortened) from Psalm 91 NLT. Simply insert your child’s name to pray these powerful promises from God over him or her.

May (child’s name) live in Your shelter, Most High,
    and find rest in Your shadow, Almighty God.

May (name) declare about You:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    He is my God, and I trust Him.

Lord, rescue (name) from every trap
    and protect (him/her) from deadly disease.

Cover (name) with Your feathers.
  Shelter (him/her) with Your wings.
  May Your faithful promises be (name’s) armor and protection.

May (name) not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.

May (name) not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

As (name) makes You (his/her) refuge and shelter, 

    send angels to protect (him/her) wherever (he/she) goes). 

May Your angels hold (name) up with their hands 

    so (he/she) won’t even hurt (his/her) foot on a stone.

May (name) trample upon lions and cobras;
    may (name) crush fierce lions and serpents under (his/her) feet!

Lord, You promise to rescue those who love You 

    and protect those who trust in Your name.

    Rescue and protect (name).

When (name) calls on You, You promise to answer;
    Be with (name) in trouble.
    Rescue and honor (him or her).

Reward (name) with a long life
    and give (him/her) Your salvation.

Personalize Proverbs 3:5-6 as a Prayer

This familiar verse is one I often tell my own anxious heart. It makes for a powerful morning prayer for my children — and my own self! So try it:

Pray it over yourself.

Pray it over your kids.

Pray it over your spouse.

Pray it over your friends.

Lord, help (name, or me) trust in You with all (his/her/my) heart,

    and lean not on (his/her/my) own understanding.

May (name, or I) submit all my ways to You,

    so You will make (his/her/my) paths straight.

* adapted from Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Now it’s your turn. Choose one of your favorite Bible verses and turn it into a morning prayer for your children. Let me know in the comments which verse you’re praying this morning.

I’m over here, praying for you from my little corner of the world. I’m praying for peace to fill your heart as you trust God with your kids. And I’m praying that all the pressure you’ve felt to pray a “perfect” prayer will disappear. God simply wants to hear your heart. Say it in your own way or borrow His words to pray back to Him. God is listening. 

Save or Share the Morning Prayers for My Children

If you found these prayers helpful, you can save or share them below.

How to Love Your Morning

One last thing! Have I told you about my newest book, How to Love Your Morning? I’m convinced that you and I, friend, are morning people – even when we don’t rise early – because God is a morning person! God seems to have a soft spot mornings, as I found from studying every reference to mornings in the Bible. (Can you believe there are over 200 of them?!) 

No matter what time you wake up, your morning is shaped by how you wake up. What if you could begin your day with intention, hope, and God’s presence? If you’ll give me the chance, I’ll show you how to create morning rituals that match your season of life, not someone else’s formula. 

Tap below to order How to Love Your Morning…

RELATED:

Morning Prayer for My Husband: How to Bless the One You Love

10 Beautiful Morning Blessings from God

Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee with Twyla Franz

P.S. — Check out our full library of morning resources, by clicking here.

The post Morning Prayer For My Children: One Powerful Way To Pray appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.

How we begin our morning affects how the day unfolds. True, the dog will still bark and the cereal will still spill and there will still be plenty of opportunities for frustration to creep in. But when we turn our face toward Jesus, something changes inside us: we remember who God is, and who we are to Him. 

Prayer is simply a conversation — with the Creator of this great, wonderful world who thinks the world of you.

I invite you to spend a little time with Him right now, using one of these prayers to start your day. Come back any time to pray the prayer you need!

A Prayer to Start Your Day as You Sip Your Coffee (or Tea)

Dear Jesus,

Slow me down with every sip, Jesus. I often feel like rushing, but Lord, You aren’t in a hurry. You’re right here – in all the ways of the morning. In the way this cup warms my hands, in the way the sun slips silently over the horizon, in the way the seed unfurls first as roots, and in the way the seasons each have their time to shine. 

Help me to trust that You know the perfect timing, and You’re never late (Isaiah 60:22).

May I be patient with myself, other people, and You today. May I give You space to continue the good work You’re doing in my life. And may I carry this stillness in my soul into the rest of my day.

In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

A Prayer to Start Your Day as You Watch a Sunrise

Hey Lord,

Still my heart for a moment, as I stand here in awe of You. Your glory overwhelms me. Your presence reassures me. Your peace unknots the tangled thoughts in my head.

As I breathe in the beauty of today’s unrepeatable, one-of-a-kind sunrise, I thank You for Your creation, Your creativity, and Your company.

As I exhale long and slow, I ask, God, would You keep my eyes open to You? 

No matter what the day brings, may I stay awake to where You’re at work.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

A Prayer to Start Your Day as You Open Your Bible

Meet me here, Jesus, in Your Word.

Open my eyes to see You on each page. Open my ears to hear You in each sentence. Open my heart to receive You in each word.

You promise to come close when I “draw near” to You (James 4:8). And this morning, I need You. I need Your wisdom, peace, and strength. But mostly, I want to know You — how You think and how You move. Teach me as I read Your Word. 

In Your name I pray, Jesus. Amen.

A Prayer to Start Your Day as You Hold Your Dream Loosely

Dear Lord,

Whether this dream flies or goes back to the drawing board, may it be for Your glory. 

In my yes to Your nudges, be glorified.

In my pause to listen, be glorified.

In my obedience to what’s next, be glorified.

In my surrender of the timeline I had in mind, be glorified.

In my trust as I place my hand in Yours, be glorified.

I pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

A Prayer to Start Your Day as You Take a Morning Walk

Good morning Jesus,

May I join You for a walk? As my day begins, I want to put You first, one step at a time. 

Help me to fall in sync with You. Help me listen to You, rather than making our time together “all about me.” I want to hear from You. 

Where are Your hands bringing hope and healing to my corner of the world?

Who in my path can I love really well today?

Lead me, Lord! Show me what’s next. Give me the wisdom and compassion I’ll need. May I be willing and ready.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Prayer to Start Your Day as You Light a Candle

Holy God,

I give You my full attention. This feels like a holy moment, with just the two of us. 

As I strike the match and watch the flicker, fan my desire for You. As I tilt the match to the candle wick, unite my heart with Yours (Psalm 86:11). And as I watch the flame dance, enfold me in Your great embrace.

In this sliver of my morning, I seek You.

Before the distractions of the day, I take a moment to simply adore You.

You are glorious and good. Worthy of my worship. Priceless and present.

In Your holy name I pray, Jesus. Amen. 

A Prayer to Start Your Day as You Find Grace for Yourself

Lord,

No matter how hard I am on myself, You gently take my unkind words and replace them with truth.

When I say I’m too slow, You remind me that I’m growing. You’re not in a rush, so I don’t have to be either.

When I worry it’s more than I can handle, You whisper that You’re here. I don’t have to be afraid of anything because I won’t have to face it alone.

When I put myself down, You lift my eyes to You so I may see as You do. Your abounding grace helps me find grace for myself. 

Thank You, Jesus! In Your name I pray, Amen.

A Prayer to Start Your Day as You Practice Forgiveness

Lord,

When I struggle to forgive, remind me what You gave for me — true and deep forgiveness. Sometimes I forget that my own sins stack far above my head. That I’m the wretch referred to in the hymn “Amazing Grace.” 

I don’t deserve Your forgiveness, but You give it anyway.

I could never earn Your forgiveness, but You never ask me to.

May I carry this gratitude in my heart as I forgive the people I need to today.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pin the Prayers to Start Your Day

Did you find these prayers to start your day helpful? If so, you can pin them below or share them directly with a friend.

How to Love Your Morning

If you want to level-up your mornings, order your copy of my book⁠ How to Love Your Morning and my companion morning Bible study, How to Love Your Morning Bible Study. Be sure to also check out my free morning resources, here.

Also, I’d love to leave you with a gift – a Wake Up Well Checklist to help you love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, like Jesus said in Mark 12:30. This simple, doable rhythm can take as few as five minutes. Grab your free download below!

If you enjoyed these prayers to start your day, you might like these too:

• Monday Morning Prayer
• Tuesday Morning Prayer
• Wednesday Morning Prayer
• Thursday Morning Prayer
• Friday Morning Prayer
• Sunday Morning Prayer

Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee with Twyla Franz

The post 8 Beautiful Prayers To Start Your Day and Grow Your Faith appeared first on Jennifer Dukes Lee.