There are no “rules for praying” that say you must pray first thing in the morning. Still, why wouldn’t I want to greet my Maker at the beginning of the day, thank Him for rest and life and breath, and place before Him the plans or worries or questions that lie ahead?

When a full day awaits you, you might think you should pray so that all goes more smoothly in the coming hours. Pray, indeed! But what if all does not then go smoothly? Has prayer “not worked” again? Keep in mind that coming to God with the burden of your busy day is not necessarily going to offer you a less busy life. However, it will offer you a less busy heart. By lifting up your soul, as David says in the psalm, you’ll be reminded in the morning of His unfailing love. That is what will give you an inner quiet for approaching your hectic day.

“Lord, you are our bright and morning star. We taste and see that you are good. Blessed is the man or woman who knows that nothing can put him or her asunder from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Amen.”