The Privilege of PrayerSample

Putting God First

In Mark 12:30 it says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” I hear this verse all the time and think to myself, what does this look like? How do I love God with all of my soul, all of my mind, and all of my strength? I’ve found that putting God first in every aspect of my life works great for me. When I open my eyes in the morning, the first thing I do is say a prayer. I thank God before making a cup of coffee, before I look at my phone, or before I brush my teeth. Before I even get my day started, I’m acknowledging Him through prayer and I’m pursuing Him in Scripture. I experience better days when I start my day off with God.

I make it a point to go to God first in every circumstance. I’m not feeling well; I go to God. I have an issue; I go to God. I have a praise report; I go to God. I make Him my very best friend. Everything I would run to my best friend to talk about, I talk about with God first. I try to make God the most important relationship in my life. Before my spouse, before my kids, before my friends, before everyone. I go to Him when I’m up or down, happy or sad, angry or calm. This isn’t to say I haven’t established amazing relationships here on earth with friends, mentors, and colleagues, but God is my first, my last, and my everything. It takes practice and consistency putting God first in all that you do. Understand that it’s not wrong or evil if you go to your friends or family for advice, that’s why God put them in your life. Just remember that God wants to be your priority.

God in heaven, I want to thank You for being there for me. Help me to put my hope, my faith, and my trust in You. Help me to run to You first under all circumstances and to make You the top priority in my life. Amen.