I’ve made it a habit that when I wake up is to pray first. I start with gratitude – thanking God for the day that just passed, the night of rest, and asking for guidance to lead me closer to Jesus throughout the day.
However, this can be extremely tough. With the constant temptation after I open my eyes to just grab my phone and check out the latest messages, calls, memes, or news that I might have missed while I slept. Technology can easily hijack our attention, steering us away from what truly matters. Sure, technology must be appreciated for everything good that it brings, but we need to keep it in check, not let it mess with our priorities.
God’s wisdom teaches us to replace bad habits with something good. Jesus warned us about this in Matthew 12:43-45, where He talked about not leaving our hearts empty, otherwise something worse might sneak in. So, swapping the urge to dive into the digital world with a few quiet moments in prayer really makes a difference.
I have not been perfect in this task – there are mornings when I jump out of bed without a prayer or convince myself that I’ll just pray later. Inevitably, those are the days that seem to go sideways. I get grumpy, lose patience with coworkers and family, and generally behave in ways that don’t reflect the Christian man I want to be.
So, here’s what I’ve figured out: starting the day with God, not the glowing screen, is key. Keeping my phone out of reach helps, as does having a Bible or prayer journal close by to keep me focused on what truly matters. Embrace the good that technology offers, but don’t let it call the shots. There’ll be off days, and that’s okay. What’s important is getting right back on track the next morning. Remember, each day is a fresh start to shape your routine and make prayer your go-to morning ritual. It sets a better tone for the day, aligns you with God’s path, and keeps life from unraveling.
Here’s to mornings that matter! Here’s to putting prayer first!
