I’ll be honest with you: I am not naturally a morning person. I’ve had mornings where the snooze button has gotten more prayer than God did. I’ve had days where I started with coffee, Instagram, and emails… only to find myself stressed before my feet even touched the floor.
But the truth is this: the way we start our day matters. It sets the tone, not just for our productivity, but for our peace, our perspective, and our posture before God. Scripture tells us, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3). That means mornings are a gift—an invitation to start fresh with God before the chaos hits.
So how do we actually do it? How do we start our day with God in a way that is practical, realistic, and life-giving (even if you’re not a 5 a.m. saint)? Let’s break it down.
1. Wake Up With Gratitude (Not Grumbling)
The first thoughts we have often shape the rest of the day. For me, it’s easy to roll over and think: Ugh, not again, or Five more minutes, Lord, please! But what if our first instinct wasn’t complaint, but gratitude?
Try this: before grabbing your phone, whisper a simple, “Thank You, God.” Thank Him for breath in your lungs, for the chance to live another day, for the people you love, or even just the fact that coffee exists. Gratitude shifts our mindset from scarcity to abundance—it reminds us that God is already at work before we’ve lifted a finger.
Practical tip: keep a sticky note on your nightstand that says, “Start with thanks.” It’ll jog your sleepy brain in the right direction.
2. Choose the Bible Over the Scroll
Let’s be real: our phones are black holes. One “quick check” can turn into 20 minutes of doomscrolling. But those first moments are precious real estate for our souls.
Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Translation: your soul needs Scripture before it needs status updates.
This doesn’t mean you need to tackle Leviticus at sunrise. Start small. Read a psalm. Read a verse and sit with it. Highlight a line in your Bible app. The point isn’t quantity; it’s connection.
Practical tip: move your Bible (or Bible app) to the front of your nightstand or phone screen. Make it easier to reach than Instagram.
3. Talk to God Like He’s Actually Listening (Because He Is)
Prayer doesn’t have to be fancy. God isn’t waiting for you to recite Shakespeare before He’ll tune in. He just wants you—messy, sleepy, distracted you.
Some mornings my prayers sound like, “Lord, please help me not be cranky before my coffee.” Other mornings they’re longer, deeper, more intentional. Both count.
Try using this simple framework: P.R.A.Y.
- Praise – Thank God for who He is.
- Repent – Be honest about where you fell short.
- Ask – Bring your needs (and others’ needs) to Him.
- Yield – Surrender your plans and trust His will.
Practical tip: pray out loud while you’re making your coffee or driving to work. God doesn’t require you to kneel by your bed—He just wants your heart.
4. Worship While You Work Through the Sleepiness
Music has a sneaky way of setting our mood. If your mornings feel sluggish, fill the atmosphere with worship. Play a song that reminds you who God is and what He’s done.
I can’t count how many mornings a worship playlist has lifted me from groggy to grateful. Sometimes I even sing along (badly). And you know what? God doesn’t care about my pitch—He cares about my praise.
Practical tip: make a “Morning With God” playlist. Include songs that lift your spirit and anchor your heart.
5. Invite God Into Your To-Do List
It’s tempting to separate “spiritual time” from “real life.” But God isn’t just interested in your devotionals—He cares about your deadlines, grocery runs, and soccer practices, too.
Before you launch into your day, pause and hand over your schedule. Ask God:
- What do You want me to focus on today?
- Who might You want me to encourage today?
- What can I let go of so I’m not overwhelmed?
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” That means He’s not just in your “quiet time”—He’s in your emails, your errands, and your everything.
Practical tip: jot down your to-do list, then pray over it before tackling it.
6. Don’t Aim for Perfection—Aim for Presence
Here’s where I have to be vulnerable: I’ve had seasons where my morning routine with God was Pinterest-worthy… and other seasons where it was basically non-existent. And you know what? God’s love for me didn’t change one bit.
Spending time with God in the morning isn’t about performing or checking a box. It’s about presence—remembering that you are not alone as you step into the day.
So if you miss a morning, don’t spiral into guilt. Just pick it up again the next day. God isn’t keeping score—He’s offering grace.
7. Make It Yours
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mornings with God. Some people thrive on journaling. Others like walking prayers. Some need silence; others need music. The beauty is: God delights in you, not in your method.
Experiment until you find a rhythm that fits your personality and season of life. Maybe your morning time is five quiet minutes with a verse, or maybe it’s an hour-long Bible study. Maybe it happens in a parked car before work, or while nursing a baby at 3 a.m. God meets you where you are.
Final Encouragement
Starting your day with God doesn’t mean your whole day will be perfect. But it does mean you’ll walk into it grounded, reminded of who He is and who you are in Him.
So tomorrow morning, before the noise and the news, pause. Whisper thanks. Read a verse. Pray an honest prayer. Invite Him into your to-do list. And if all else fails, just start with this:
“Good morning, Lord. I need You today.”
And trust me—He’ll be right there.