Creative Hearts Seek: In the Morning Devotional and Prayer GuideSample

Introduction

Mornings are meant for wonder. In Genesis 1:1-4, Scripture tells us in the very first day of Creation, God said, "Let there be Light"! Separating it from darkness and, He saw that it was good. I thought it was so beautiful how the Lord was intentional about how we start our day. Now, in the same way, let us make room for Him by setting our hearts before Him. To Seek, To Hear, To Dwell, To Worship, To Behold our Beloved Jesus, First.

Let's Pray

Father, as we dedicate the start of our day to You, Encounter us. Encounter us with the weight of Your Glory. The weight of Your Love. Renew our reverence, intimacy, & desire for You alone. We repent if we've made our morning routine an idol. You are our God. Lord fill our cup & set our heart ablaze as we seek You first over the next few mornings together. In Jesus name, Amen.

It's something about the morning.

Have you ever started your day off in a crazy rush? Barely having time to run to Starbucks to grab your favorite drink, or maybe you're like me, trying to peel yourself off the bed, hitting the snooze button again and again, hoping to get a little bit more shut-eye. Yet, no matter how hard we try to get going, it seems as if we just can't. Next thing you know, the way you started your morning starts to feel like it has trickled into your entire day. Moody. Frustrated. Impatient. Praying,"Lord, just help me get through this day"! Or saying,"Is this work day over yet"?!

I have been there. I know. it happens. But what If I told you that the morning was created for so much more?

That, in the very first part of your day, in the quiet, in the stillness, there's an invitation to draw a little closer, go a little deeper & offer up the first fruits of your morning to the One who made you.

As we journey together using this weekly devotional & submitting the first hour of each Monday Morning, make this time uninterrupted and set aside for the Lord alone. For you to get the absolute most out of this weekly devotional/prayer time, here are a few practical ways to devote your time unto the Lord and prepare your heart:

1. Repent. Repent of every ungodly and offensive thing you may have done that goes against God. Ask the Lord to purify your heart and renew your mind. After we repent, there's a refreshing!

See Acts 3:19-21, Psalms 24:3-6

2. Conquer distractions. Place your phone on silent mode or set it to 'Do not disturb.' Try placing it in another room. No social media or responding to texts or emails, no idle conversations or calls. Just you & Jesus.

See Hebrews 12:1-2, Mark 1:35

3. Grab your Pen & Paper. Whether you receive revelation while studying or hear the Lord give you a word/instructions, keep a notebook nearby to write it down so you can go back and meditate on what the Lord ministered to you in these sweet, intimate moments.

4. Prayer & Worship. As the Lord begins to move on your heart, begin to pray into the word that you receive. Take what the Lord is showing you, whether in His word or as you hear & begin to declare it. Set the atmosphere. Turn on some worship music and minister unto Jesus. Adore

Him. Pour out your love on Him and watch Him fill you. Please don't feel rushed through it. You may even find that your time may run over too.

Let the Lord have His way. Alright now let's go deeper!