Good Morning…

The alarm goes off and you drag yourself out of bed. Then stumbling to the kitchen for that cup hot coffee and grunting at anyone who crosses your path on the way. Not a pretty sight!!! Now let’s rewind and try this view…the alarm goes off, you reach over and turn the alarm off, you lay there conscious of you surroundings…listening to the quiet while saying a “Good Morning Prayer”. A prayer with the following components; praise, thanksgiving, guidance, and protection.

Praise

Praise elevates us into God’s presence and power. The Bible says that God inhabits in the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3). Praise is an expression of worship; a way of setting aside time to honor and adore our creator and sustainer. If verbalizing praise to God is foreign to you or you have no idea of what to say, I recommend the book of Psalms. David is referred to as “A Man After God’s Own Heart” and it is easy to understand why when you read how he is able to express his adoration for the Lord. Below are an examples of David’s words of praise.

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High Psalms 7:17

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 42:11

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints. Psalms 52:9

Thanksgiving

How can we as Christians not give thanks to our Father for all He has done for us. He loves us, protects us, and provides for us. And it is those provisions and blessings we should be forever grateful. Having an attitude of gratitude is a challenge if God’s provisions are not recognized as such. Until we recognize God owns it all, is in charge of it all, and distributes it all then we will never see the need to say “Thank You”

In Ephesians 5:20 it says we should “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Again, He owns it all, is in charge of it all, and distributes it all…Everything we have is on loan from the Lord; family, friends, possessions, job, health…EVERYTHING!!!

Now, having said that, I don’t know about you but, if I gave a gift to my child and she never showed any form of appreciation or gratitude or took it for granted, I am not so sure I would keep giving! Using that analogy why would our Heavenly Father want to keep pouring out His blessings on us if we do not show a little excitement and gratitude?

I encourage you to never, never, never take anything from the Lord for granted. Oh did I mention, everything we have is on loan from the Lord…so I guess we have a lot to be thankful for.

Guidance

When is the last time you asked for someone to show you how or the way out of a situation? Well, I feel certain it has been more recent than the last time you asked God…

Perhaps by asking God at the beginning of your day to lead you through it, your whole day might have turned out totally different…Perhaps BETTER! It is so easy to call out to Him and ask Him to be your guide, to allow your path to be filled with ease rather than strife, to place the people who need ministering to in front of you, to lay someone on your heart to pray for, to give you favor in all you do. David prayed for guidance.

Psalms 25:5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalms 31:3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Psalms 43:3 Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

Psalms 73:24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Psalms 139:10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

He is there for you. He wants to bless you. He wants to lead and guide you. But, once you ask and He gives you what you ask for, don’t forget the Thanksgiving that needs to follow.

Protection

When you wake do you pray a hedge of protection about yourself and about your family? David did…he prayed protection over others in Psalms 5:11, “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” I know for fact God cares for our safety. He is our Daddy God and He cares for us and wants nothing to harm us His children. Below are some additional scriptures show all we have to do is call out to God and He will honor our request.

Psalms 40:11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.

Psalms 59:1 For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.

Psalms 69:29 I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

Now, here is the catch…You prayed for protection, now you must thank Him in advance and trust you and your family is under His protection…DO NOT WORRY!!!

So now rather than wake up and you drag yourself to the coffee pot; you might want to start your day with praise and thanksgiving then ask for guidance and protection over your day. THEN…you can go get that cup of coffee!!!