Earlier this week, I tweeted how my morning prayer starts. Before I’ve said a word aloud, before I begin my first routines, before my head rises from the pillow, I start my prayer with, “Before my feet hit the floor…” I want my first thoughts in the morning to be directed to the Lord.

This is my best attempt to keep from getting up on the wrong side of the bed. It’s really the beginning of trying to weave prayer throughout my day.

Most people have a running dialog with themselves in their heads anyway. They rehearse their anticipated conversations and plan how they want things to go. We all can identify with “self-talk” to some degree. People we care about pop into our mind, and worries worm their way into our thoughts.

How much better is it to turn this inner conversation toward the Creator of the Universe? He loves us and knows our deepest needs, but wants us to bring it all into our relationship with Him.

The Apostle Paul reminded the readers in his letters:

• “pray without ceasing,”   – 1Thessalonians 5:17 
• “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”    – Colossians 4:2 
• “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12 
• “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”  – Ephesians 6:18 

We read about Jesus, who also felt the need to pray to the Father. If He did it, how much more should we?

• “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” – Mark 1:35 
• “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” – Luke 18:1 

So among my first thoughts, on most mornings, is “Before my feet hit the floor this morning, Lord…”  I begin with praise and thanksgiving, then pour out whatever is on my mind. It’s not long. It’s not eloquent.

Admittedly, I have to work at remembering to do this. I’ve practiced this for years, but sometimes, I still forget. But my aim is to love Him more and grow ever-closer to Him. That’s how I want to start my day.

Shalom, Dottie