Many people don’t start thinking about investing until much later in life. That’s understandable. There are so many obligations weighing upon you as a younger adult. And you’re just getting started. It never feels like you have any cash to spare. But if, twenty years ago, I’d have committed to setting aside $20 per month, given a reasonable return of 7% interest, I would now have a little over $10,000 sitting in that account. But I didn’t. That means if I want to get serious about investing today, I’m starting at zero.
That means if, at this point, I decide to increase my monthly investment to $200 per month, with zero starting money, I’ll end up with around $105,000 in twenty years. But that same commitment to $200 monthly with a starting fund of $10,000 would yield me around $143,000. If I wanted to end with $143,000 at the end of twenty years but starting with zero, I would need to increase my monthly investment to $274.28. $20 at the age of twenty turns into $75 at the age of 40.
All of this to say it’s really important to start on a good foundation. If we think of our day similarly many of us are getting to the noon hour before we’ve even stopped to check in on our soul. In this regard we are playing “catch-up” physically, emotionally, and spiritually throughout the day. Why not consider making an investment, even a small one, into your day by spending a little time in prayer to start your day?
Here are a few prayers to guide you.
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1. A Prayer to Remember Your Sacred Identity
"Now this is what the Lord says—the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel—'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.'" - Isaiah 43:1
If we are in Christ, this verse is true for us. We belong to God. As we start our day, it is important to reflect upon our identity. We start the day as one who is forgiven and who is deeply loved by God. As we awake in the morning, He calls us by name. Remembering that you are forgiven and free from condemnation through the gospel allows us to face the day with the assurance of God's love and acceptance.
Prayer: Father, thank you for giving me a fixed identity in Christ. I know that I am yours. You have called me by name. Help me today to live with that confidence. Help me also live in such a way that I accurately reflect on belonging to you. Keep my heart from a foolish desire to earn my status in the family. Remind me today that I am Your beloved child, not because of what I have done but because of who you are. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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2. A Prayer to Acknowledge Your Dependence on God
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5
Productivity gurus tell us that starting your morning by making a list of things to accomplish is key to a successful day. That is a helpful reminder to be focused and intentional about our day. But we also need to remember that we are dependent. Acknowledging our dependence is crucial for a fruitful day.
Prayer:
"Father, I acknowledge my need for You today. Help me to remain in You and draw my strength and wisdom from You. Guide my steps and decisions, and let me bear much fruit for Your glory. Apart from you, I can do nothing. But in Christ, I can do all that you call me to do today. Amen."
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3. A Prayer to Be a Powerful Witness
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
If you are a Christian, you will be a witness today. The question is whether or not you’ll be an accurate witness of the glory of God. Starting our morning with a prayer to acknowledge this reality and to ask the Spirit for empowerment is vital. And it will also reorient us towards a missional focus.
Prayer:
"Lord, you have made me a witness to your glory. Help me to be an accurate image-bearer today. Give me the boldness to give a reason for the hope that I have. Help my light to shine in such a way that people ask about this hope. Give me the eyes to see the opportunities that you’ve given today and the boldness to respond faithfully to them. (Consider mentioning a specific person you can share the gospel with today). In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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4. A Prayer Asking for Guidance and Wisdom
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5
We will face several decisions throughout the day. Some of them will be trivial, others might have lifelong ramifications. Either way we should be governed by God’s guidance and wisdom. Seeking out God’s wisdom in the morning is essential for navigating daily challenges.
Prayer:
Father, I ask for Your wisdom today. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions. Help me to make decisions that honor You and reflect Your will. Thank You for Your generous provision of wisdom. (Consider adding specific areas where you need guidance) Amen.
Jeremy Camp - Closer To You from Jeremy Camp on GodTube.
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5. A Prayer of Gratitude
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
As we go through our list of tasks for the day, they can seem overwhelming. On occasion we’ll begin the day in a foul mood, where we see the darkness instead of the light. Starting the day with a heart of gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. We need this recalibration as soon as we wake up.
Prayer:
(Consider listing several specific blessings in your life). Lord, I thank You for Your countless blessings in my life. Help me to see Your hand in every circumstance today and to maintain a heart of gratitude. Give me eyes to see Your fingerprints instead of the darkness around me. Help me shine like a star by not complaining and grumbling throughout my day. I know this is your will for me. Amen.
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6. A Prayer for the Fruit of the Spirit
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23
As we think about what we will do throughout the day it is important to remind ourselves of who we are supposed to be. The fruit of the Spirit establishes what kind of character we should exhibit as we go throughout the day. Thinking through these fruits and praying for God to evidence them in our life is a great reminder of the type of people we’ll be today.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, fill me today and produce Your fruit in my life. Help me to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in all my interactions. Let my life reflect Your character. Amen.
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7. A Prayer to Walk in Grace
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
There are about a million different ways I could have phrased this point. I’m simply trying to say that we should be free, breathe easy, and drink deeply from the well of grace. In our world today, many of us are so tied. We get offended easily, often even looking for offenses. We’re on high alert. The law gives us eyes to look for offenses. Grace gives us an excuse to love.
Prayer:
I am free. You have made me free. Forgive me my sin. Help me to forgive others. I want to walk in the freedom that you have purchased for me today. I want to be unburdened and unbound. Help me extend graciousness and joy to others as you have given them to me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
(Consider taking deep breaths as you ask God’s good favor to wash over your soul and body)
Rachel Hale’s Heartfelt ‘Just Breathe (Daddy’s Song)’ Honors Fathers from CCM Magazine on GodTube.
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Originally published Wednesday, 24 July 2024.