A short morning prayer
Lord, thank you for this new day. Your mercies are new every morning, and I want to begin this day with you. Let me hear your lovingkindness this morning, for I trust in you. Show me the way I should walk today. Guard my words and my thoughts, so that all I say and do today pleases you. I give you my plans, my work and the people I love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Morning prayer for strength
Father, I feel weak before this day has even begun. Thank you that your strength is made perfect in weakness. You give power to the faint. Renew my strength as I wait on you today. Be my strength and my shield, and fill my heart with joy. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (KJV)
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The Morning Offering (Catholic)
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.
Why pray in the morning?
The Bible often pictures prayer at the start of the day. David wrote, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD” (Psalm 5:3), and Mark 1:35 says Jesus rose “a great while before day” to pray. Praying first thing sets the tone for the day and hands its worries to God before they pile up.
A simple pattern for morning prayer
Thank God for the new day (Psalm 118:24). Read a verse and let it settle. Ask for guidance and strength for what is ahead (Psalm 143:8). Pray for the people you will see. Then commit the day to him (Proverbs 16:3). Two minutes is enough to begin.
The Morning Offering
Many Catholics begin the day with the Morning Offering, which dates from 1844 and the Apostleship of Prayer (now the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network). It offers the whole day, its work and its struggles, to God.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good short morning prayer?
“Lord, thank you for this new day. Your mercies are new every morning. Guide my steps, guard my words, and help me love the people I meet today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” It draws on Lamentations 3:23 and Psalm 143:8.
What Bible verse is good to pray in the morning?
Psalm 143:8 is a ready-made morning prayer: “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust.” Psalm 5:3, Psalm 118:24 and Lamentations 3:22–23 are also favorites.
What is the Catholic morning prayer?
Many Catholics pray the Morning Offering, offering the day’s prayers, works, joys and sufferings to God. The Church’s official morning prayer is Lauds, part of the Liturgy of the Hours, made up of psalms, a reading and intercessions.
How long should a morning prayer be?
There is no set length. Jesus warned against “vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7) and gave a short model prayer. A sincere minute is better than a long prayer said without thought.
More prayers
- The Hail Mary Prayer The traditional Catholic prayer to Mary, with the Bible verses it comes from.
- Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina) The Salve Regina, prayed at the end of the Rosary.
- How to Pray a Novena What a novena is, how to pray one, and a simple nine-day novena from Scripture.
- Prayer for Healing Prayers for your own healing, for someone who is sick, and for healing and strength.
- Prayer for Strength Prayers for strength in hard times, for courage and for guidance.
- Psalm 91 Prayer of Protection A prayer of protection drawn line by line from Psalm 91.