March 28, 2023

Psalm 88:13
But to You I have cried out, O LORD, and in the morning my prayer comes before You.

The freshness of a brand new morning is the perfect time to communicate with God. C. S. Lewis wrote about the importance of prayer and surrender at the beginning of each day before your wishes and desires rush in and take over. Lewis compared our voices to wild animals and described the process as pushing your voice back so to be able to hear God’s other, quieter voice.

Prayer and listening take effort and intention. You learn to do them, however, only by practicing. So this morning, as you begin your day, talk to God. With the psalmist, let your prayer come into His presence this morning.

Get a fresh piece of paper or a new notebook and write to God. Thank Him for the gift of a new day and intentionally surrender it back to His care. Make a list of the things you need or want to get done. Then offer your list to God. Ask Him to guide your steps today and to show you when to allow “divine appointments” to interrupt your schedule. Allow God to design your day, and then receive His plans gladly. Try to make this part of your morning routine.

As you leave all the day’s plans to God, your perspective changes. Stress melts away because you no longer need to control or manipulate what happens. Instead, you step into the day knowing that you and God are on the same page, and you’re walking in His will.

Quiet Reflections of Hope (Revell, 2009)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.