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Free sample Step 1 of 3

Build a consistent prayer habit

Time today

Step 1 of 3

Begin by showing up

Today is only about showing up.

Read

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. 2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psalms 5:1-3 King James Version
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Reflect

David does not wait until he feels ready. He says that in the morning he will bring his prayer to God and then look up to see what God does. A prayer habit starts the same way. You pick a time, you show up, and you let it be small.

David writes this psalm like a man who has made up his mind. He says God will hear his voice in the morning. He says that in the morning he will bring his prayer and watch for an answer. He has chosen a time, and he has not waited to feel inspired.

Most of us do the opposite. We plan to pray when life settles down, and life does not settle down. A habit works better when it has a place on the clock and a link to something you already do, like your first cup of coffee or the walk to the bus.

Notice the last words of the passage: he will look up. Prayer is not only speaking. It is also turning toward God and paying attention. Two quiet minutes at the same time each day will teach you more about prayer than one long hour that you only manage once.

Background

Psalm 5 is a prayer of David. Many readers think of it as a morning prayer because of verse 3. The rest of the psalm asks God for protection from people who lie and do harm, and it ends with trust in God's care. Today's three verses are the quiet start of that longer prayer. If you want to read more, open the whole psalm after you finish.

When could you give God two minutes tomorrow?

More to think about

  • What is one thing you already do each morning that could remind you to pray?
  • What usually gets in the way when you plan to pray?

Pray

Lord, I am here. I do not have many words, and I am not sure how to begin. Hear me anyway. Be with me in the morning and teach me to look up. Help me keep this small promise to meet with you each day. Amen.

In your tradition: Baptist

Pray in your own words. Tell God what is on your mind, then be quiet for a moment. If words do not come, read the three verses aloud and make them your prayer.

In your tradition: Catholic

You can pray these verses as a short morning psalm and then say an Our Father. If you pray the Liturgy of the Hours, this psalm may already be part of your morning.

In your tradition: Lutheran

Luther's Small Catechism includes a morning prayer. You can say it after these verses, then add your own words for the day ahead.

In your tradition: Methodist

Pair your own words with a written prayer, such as one from your hymnal, the Book of Worship, or The Upper Room. Methodists have long taught that prayer is one of the ordinary ways God gives grace.

In your tradition: Non-denominational

Keep it simple. Read the verses, pray in plain words, and write one line about what you prayed so you can look back on it later.

In your tradition: Orthodox

Many Orthodox Christians begin the day with the morning prayers in their prayer book. You can read these verses first, or pray the Jesus Prayer for two minutes: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me."

In your tradition: Pentecostal

Pray out loud if you can. Speak the verses to God, then stop and listen for a minute before you ask for anything.

In your tradition: Reformed

Pray the psalm back to God a line at a time: "Give ear to my words, O Lord." Let God's own Word shape what you ask.

Practice

Pick one thing you do every morning, such as making coffee or brushing your teeth. Decide to pray for two minutes right after it, before you look at your phone. Say it out loud once: "After I do that, I will pray."

Finish

One word for today (optional)

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Step 2 of 3

Say what is true

Today you can say what is really on your heart.

Read

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psalms 62:5-8 King James Version
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Reflect

The psalm says to pour out your heart before God. That means telling him what is really there, including worry, anger, or a blank mind. Prayer works better when it is honest, and you can say it in one sentence.

Look at the end of today's passage. “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Pouring out your heart is a picture of a cup being emptied. You do not have to tidy your words first. You do not have to feel calm, or thankful, or sure of anything. You can simply start with what is true.

Many people stop praying because they think their real thoughts are not allowed. They worry about sounding doubtful or small. But the Psalms are full of honest people. This one calls God a rock and a refuge, and in the same breath it tells us to bring him everything. The two go together. God is strong enough to handle what you bring.

Today, say one true thing. It can be as short as "I am worried about money" or "I do not feel like praying." God is not shocked, and he has heard every kind of prayer before. Starting where you really are is what makes a habit last, because you are not pretending.

Background

Psalm 62 is a psalm of David. In the first verses David speaks to his own soul and tells it to wait on God alone. In verse 8 he turns to the people around him and shares what he has learned: trust God at all times and bring him everything. A prayer life often grows this way. You learn something alone with God, and then it becomes something you can pass on to others.

What is one true thing you could tell God today?

More to think about

  • Which part of your life have you been leaving out of your prayers?
  • What makes it hard to be honest with God?

Pray

God, here is what is true today. I bring you my worries and my tired heart. I do not have to hide anything from you. You are my rock and my safe place. Hold what I cannot carry, and help me trust you today. Amen.

In your tradition: Baptist

Honest prayer fits the way many Baptists pray, in plain words from the heart. Say your sentence aloud, then stay quiet for a moment before you say Amen.

In your tradition: Catholic

You can offer your sentence to God and then pray an Our Father. Writing it down can help you notice, later, how God has been with you.

In your tradition: Lutheran

Luther taught that prayer is bringing your needs to a God who has promised to hear. After your sentence, you might pray the Lord's Prayer slowly.

In your tradition: Methodist

Many Methodists combine prayer in their own words with a written prayer. Say your sentence, then read a short prayer from your hymnal or devotional so you do not have to find every word yourself.

In your tradition: Non-denominational

Write your sentence in a journal or a notes app. Over a few weeks you will build a record of how God has met you.

In your tradition: Orthodox

Say your sentence, then pray the Jesus Prayer slowly a few times: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." It is a way of bringing your whole heart to God.

In your tradition: Pentecostal

Speak your sentence out loud to God. Then be still for a minute and listen. Some people sense a verse, a picture, or a quiet peace.

In your tradition: Reformed

The psalm tells you to pour out your heart because God is a refuge. Say your sentence, then pray a line from the psalm back to him: "You are my rock and my salvation."

Practice

Write one honest sentence about how you are today, on paper or in your phone. Then read it aloud to God as a prayer. You do not need to fix it or explain it.

Finish

One word for today (optional)

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Step 3 of 3

Start with thanks

Today you start your prayer with thanks.

Read

16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 King James Version
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Reflect

Paul puts three short commands side by side: rejoice, pray, give thanks. Thanks is a good way to begin praying because it is easy to start, and it turns your attention to what God has already done.

These three verses are short, and the commands sit next to each other on purpose: rejoice, pray, give thanks. Paul does not say to feel thankful for everything that happens. He says to give thanks in everything, which means to look for something to thank God for even when the day is hard.

Thanks is a gentle way to start praying. It does not take much courage. It also changes where you look. If you begin with what is wrong, your prayer can turn into a list of worries. If you begin with one good thing, you are reminded that God has already been at work in your life.

Small thanks count. A warm shower, a text from a friend, a meal, a quiet minute. Naming them to God is prayer. Over time you may notice more of them during the day, because you know you will be telling him about them.

Background

Paul wrote this to the church in Thessalonica, a young group of believers who were under pressure from their neighbors. His closing instructions are short and practical, like a list pinned to the wall. Bibles word the call to pray in different ways, and most Christians have understood it as a steady habit of turning toward God, not as nonstop talking.

What is one small thing from the last day that you can thank God for?

More to think about

  • How might your day change if you started with thanks instead of worries?
  • Who helped you recently, and have you thanked God for them?

Pray

Thank you, God, for this new day. Thank you for the people who care about me, for food and shelter, and for the small good things I almost missed. Teach me to notice your kindness. Make my heart thankful, even when the day is hard. Amen.

In your tradition: Baptist

Thank God aloud in your own words. If you pray with family or a small group, each person could name one thing and then say Amen together.

In your tradition: Catholic

The word "Eucharist" means thanksgiving, so this passage fits well with Catholic life. You can name your three thanks, then pray an Our Father or a short grace.

In your tradition: Lutheran

The Small Catechism includes prayers to say before and after a meal. You can use one of them, then add your three thanks.

In your tradition: Methodist

Methodists have long sung their thanks. Name your three thanks, then sing or read one verse of a hymn you love.

In your tradition: Non-denominational

Keep a running thank-you list in a notebook or a notes app. Add a few items each day for the rest of this journey.

In your tradition: Orthodox

Orthodox prayer is full of thanksgiving. Name your three thanks, then say "Glory to God for all things," a phrase many Orthodox Christians use.

In your tradition: Pentecostal

Give thanks out loud, with joy. Name each thing and say "Thank you, Lord." You might end with a minute of praise.

In your tradition: Reformed

The Heidelberg Catechism, used in many Reformed churches, describes the Christian life as an answer of thanks. Name your three thanks, then thank God for his grace in Christ.

Practice

Write down three small things you are thankful for. Make them specific, like "the sun on the kitchen floor" instead of "my home." Say each one to God, beginning with the words "Thank you for."

Finish

One word for today (optional)

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