The first of Jesus' greatest commandments is to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind. Use these morning prayers to declare and strengthen your love for God!
In the book of Matthew, chapter 22, Jesus was asked “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And Christ said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
How powerful and yet simple are these two laws, the greatest commandments from God. We can focus our lives as Christians upon this teaching from Jesus: to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” ~ Psalm 143:8
Morning Prayers to Love God
A Morning Thanksgiving
We give you sincere thanks
for the rest of the past night
and for the gift of a new day,
with its opportunities to pleasing you.
Grant that we may so pass its hours
in the perfect freedom of your service,
that at evening,
we may again give you thanks;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A Daily Prayer of Thanksgiving by Debbie McDaniel
Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
A 5th Century Morning Prayer
Almighty God, you fill all things with your presence.
In your great love, keep us near you this day.
Grant that in all our ways and doings we may remember that you see us,
and may always have grace to know and perceive what things you would have us do,
and give us strength to do the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer to Follow God Today by Wendy Blight
Dear Lord, I don't know who or what will cross my path today. But I do know that You are my Rock and my Fortress. You are my Shield and my Strong Tower. Help me to anchor myself to You today. Teach me how to stand strong in You and choose only Your way today. Help me walk by Your truth and not my feelings. Help me to embrace anything that comes my way as an opportunity to see You at work and as an opportunity to point others to You. Thank You that You love me and nothing can ever take that away from me! Even if I fail today and fall short, You whisper Your unconditional love deep into my soul and remind me that Your mercies are new every morning. That truly amazes me, Lord. Thank You for meeting with me today. Would You wake me again tomorrow with the same sweet whisper of Your love? I can't wait to meet with You again. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Swedish Morning Prayer
O Lord God, heavenly Father,
we thank you with all our heart
that you have brought us to the beginning of this day
on which we will hear your holy gospel.
Graciously preserve among us the light of your truth,
and so direct and rule our hearts by your Holy Spirit,
that we may never turn away from it,
but remain steadfast in your Word,
and finally, by your grace, receive salvation;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever. Amen.
Originally published Thursday, 11 February 2021.
