Keith's Daily Prayers

Several months ago, I was seeking to increase the joy and power of my personal prayer life. I decided to do something I had never done before and created a daily prayer discipline that includes the following prayers and Scripture recitations. I pray them in this order every day and try to focus on the words and their meaning, pausing at times to reflect on what I am about to say. This daily habit primes the pump of my prayer life and leads to other prayers of praise, confession, intercession, and intimacy. I have memorized these prayers and Scripture passages, so I can now pray them anywhere and anytime.
If you are struggling for deeper intimacy, greater effectiveness, and increased continuity in your prayer life, I would recommend trying these morning prayers for 30 days. See if it helps you connect with the Triune God in deeper ways. Then begin to craft your own daily prayers that fit your spiritual journey and help you move into closer communion with Christ.
 
MORNING PRAYERS
 
The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
 
Prayer of Daily Dedication
"Father in Heaven, these are the riches I choose to pursue today:
I want to be grateful, humble, joyful, content,
Free from anxiety and fear, compassionate, and generous.
I pray these things in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit. Amen" (adapted from a prayer I read several years ago; source unknown).
 
Prayer of Thanksgiving
"Father in Heaven,
Thank you for your continual, abiding presence in my life
And in my household.
'For God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV84)
Thank you, Father, for your continual, abiding presence in my life. Amen."
 
Recite Psalm 121 (NIV 84)
"I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, he who watches over you- will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life;
The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
 
Recite Psalm 23 (KJV)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in paths of righteousness
For his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."
 
Prayer of Reliance
"Father, I will dwell 'in the shelter of the Most High.
I will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust.' (Psalm 91:1-2, NIV)
Father, 'You are my hiding place;
You will protect me from trouble
And surround me with songs of deliverance.' (Psalm 32:7)
Lord and Master, Protector and Provider,
I fully rely on you to sustain and uphold me throughout this day. Amen."