Begin Your Day with God

In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart]. Psalm 5:3 (AMP)

I’m so excited for you to start this study! Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how much spending time with God first can set the tone for a much more joyful and fulfilling day.

Starting each day right is so important. We are more likely to be satisfied with the outcome of any day if we begin it in a positive way than if we get up dreading what lies ahead of us. I encourage you to start each day as I do—with God.

Spend as much time with Him as you can, based on your schedule. The only way to get your day off to a good start is to start it with Him. Talk to Him, ask for His help and guidance in all you do, and submit your day to Him for His direction. Take in God’s Word in some form through studying it, reading it, listening to it, or watching someone teach or preach it. Whether it’s one verse of Scripture or an entire chapter in the Bible, it will help you.

Going to God first, before we do anything else, is a way of honoring Him and saying with our actions, “Apart from You, Lord, I can do nothing” (based on John 15:5).

You might even consider lying in bed for five minutes after you wake up and using that time to talk to God about your day. This is an especially good idea if you have small children or a busy household that is active from the moment you get out of bed. If you do only have a short time in the morning, make an effort to spend more time with God later in the day.

David knew that God heard his voice in the morning, and he watched and waited for God to speak to his heart (Psalm 5:3). I hope you’ll do the same.

Confess: I start my day with God, and I wait and watch for Him to speak to my heart (Isaiah 50:4).

Pray: Dear God, You’re invited into my day. No matter what I’m doing, who I’m talking to, where I am, I want You with me because I can’t do this day without You. Thank You for Your Word, for Your promise to be with me, and for Your constant, loving voice. In Jesus’ name, amen.

To read: Psalm 143:8; Psalm 90:14; Psalm 88:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Adapted from the devotional Mornings with God by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2024 by Joyce Meyer. Published by Hachette Book Group, Inc. All rights reserved.