My wife Fancie, raced around the kitchen, scrambling eggs while answering work emails on her phone.
The baby cried from the other room as she forgot, yet again, to start the coffee.
“I’m coming!” she shouted over her shoulder, burning the toast in her distraction.
Just another chaotic morning. Her daily routine of nonstop demands left her with zero time for God.
But then she remembered the words of Jesus when his disciples asked him how they should pray. Taking a deep breath amidst the chaos, she whispered, “Our Father…”
She felt His gentle presence wash over her as she continued through the Lord’s Prayer, the words slowing her racing heart.
By simply praying as she made breakfast, she tapped into the peace of Christ that transcends busy schedules.
She realized in that moment, with a renewed spirit, that she could pray through all her daily activities, no matter how mundane. And connect her heart with God’s, if only she try…
Let me tell you the seven simple steps that Fancie uses to pray all day long, keeping her anchored in God’s presence through her busy daily routine.
You’ll learn a simple way to pray through your day, inspired by the Lord’s Prayer. Using this easy routine, you’ll stay anchored in God even in the busiest of schedules.
1. Start Your Day with Gratitude
The moment your eyes open in the morning, before even getting out of bed, take a few minutes to thank God for His blessings.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:1 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
What has He given you to be grateful for? Make a mental or written list. It could include:
- Your health.
- Your family.
- A place to live.
- Food on the table.
- Eyes that see, ears that hear.
- Salvation through Jesus.
- Opportunities ahead.
- His faithful provision.
- Beautiful creation.
- Pleasant memories.
- The gift of another day.
Start recounting the ways God has blessed you, big and small. You’ll be amazed at how long your list can grow when you take time to reflect.
Setting a tone of gratitude first thing in the morning is incredibly powerful. Studies show that cultivating thankfulness has enormous benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional health.
People who consciously practice gratitude sleep better and have lower blood pressure and increased endorphins.
They experience reduced anxiety and depression. Their relationships improve. They’re more alert and energetic.
So kick off your day by thanking God for His gifts. You’ll be healthier, and it will please your Heavenly Father too.
Psalm 92:1 (NLT) says:
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.”
biblegateway.com
2. Bless God’s Name at Breakfast
After waking up thankful, move into breakfast still focused on God’s goodness. As you eat (or drink your morning coffee!), use the time to bless and praise His name.
What does it mean to bless God’s name? It means honoring who He is. It’s professing your awe and adoration for His divine character:
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
Psalm 29:2 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
One way to bless God’s name is by praying through His biblical names that reveal His attributes:
- El Roi, the God Who Sees Me (Genesis 16:13).
- El Shaddai, God Almighty (Genesis 17:1).
- Adonai, Lord and Master (Exodus 4:10).
- Jehovah Jireh, the Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14).
- Jehovah Shalom, the Lord Is Peace (Judges 6:24).
- Immanuel, God With Us (Isaiah 7:14).
As you reflect on the meaning behind God’s names, your faith in His character will deepen.
You’ll be reminded of His watchful care, His power, His sovereignty, His provision, and His presence. What a great way to start your day!
Regularly blessing God’s name strengthens your trust in Him for whatever lies ahead.
Psalm 9:10 (NLT) says:
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.”
biblegateway.com
3. Realign with God’s Purpose Mid-Morning
It’s now mid-morning, and you’ve been hard at work for several hours. When you’re busy, it’s easy to lose perspective and wander from what matters most.
That’s why it’s important to pause at some point and pray this line from the Lord’s Prayer:
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
Realign your heart with God’s purposes.
Ask Him, “What is Your will for my life and work today? How can I honor You in my tasks and interactions with people? Keep me on track with Your priorities and plans.”
This short prayer reconnects you to God’s agenda when other demands are pulling you off course.
It removes distractions that cloud your vision. It gives you a renewed sense of direction and mission.
If you seek God’s kingdom first, Jesus promises that:
“…all these things shall be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
biblegateway.com
He’ll help you accomplish what is needed today. When you align with His purpose, you’ll gain His power and provision.
4. Petition God at Lunch for Your Needs
Now you’re on your lunch break, maybe munching on a sandwich or salad. Use this time not just to feed your body but also your soul. Present your needs to God.
The Bible tells us:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
biblegateqay.com
What’s weighing on your mind and heart? Where do you require the Lord’s help today? Maybe you need:
- More patience with difficult people.
- Deliverance from temptation.
- Wisdom for upcoming decisions.
- Physical or emotional healing.
- Provision of finances.
- Reconciliation in a relationship.
- Strength to endure a trial.
Pour out your soul to Him. Ask boldly for anything you need. As Jesus said:
“Ask and it will be given to you.”
Luke 11:9 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
God may not grant everything you request, but He encourages us to come to Him freely and openly.
While petitioning God for yourself, don’t forget to intercede for others too. Pray for the needs and burdens of your loved ones, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.”
1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
Lifting others in prayer ministers to their difficulties as well as expands your own heart. As you pray for those around you, God will take care of you (Job 42:10).
5. Confess and Release Sins in the Afternoon
By mid-afternoon, you’ve likely interacted with numerous people and faced many situations.
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably accumulated some mental junk like:
- Frustration at a coworker.
- Anger over a disagreement.
- Impatience with slow service.
- Jealousy over a friend’s success.
- Selfishness (putting your needs first).
Left unresolved, these junk feelings clutter your spirit and distance you from God.
That’s why the middle of the afternoon is an ideal time for cleansing your heart through confession and forgiveness.
Find a private place to pray this line in the Lord’s Prayer:
“Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”
Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
biblegateway.com
First, confess any attitude or action that has grieved God’s Spirit. Admit where you fell short and receive His promised forgiveness:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
biblegateway.com
Next, forgive those who have hurt or offended you. Let go of any bitterness or resentment toward others. Jesus directly ties God forgiving you to your willingness to forgive:
“14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
Regular afternoon soul-cleansing keeps your relationships right and your heart free.
Shake off any guilt, grudges, or grievances before they sink their claws in deeper. Restore peace through honest confession.
6. Seek Wisdom Before Going Home
It’s now the evening and you’ll soon return home. The day’s demands have likely drained your mental and emotional reserves. Irritability can set in. You might be tempted to snap at loved ones.
Before exiting work, take a moment to whisper the prayer:
“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
Acknowledge you’re running on fumes. Ask God to protect you from speaking harshly or making poor choices.
Pray for patience and wisdom in relating to family members who will also be weary.
God promises us:
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
Leaning on the Lord’s strength, not yours, makes all the difference at the day’s end when you’re exhausted.
Commute home plugged into His power source.
7. End Your Day Affirming Hopeful Truths
Finally, as you wind down your evening before bed, reflect on uplifting spiritual truths. End your day anchored to God’s eternal perspective.
The last line of the Lord’s Prayer says:
“For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:13 (NKJV)
biblegateway.com
Meditate on three key facts:
- God is ultimately in control.
Despite how circumstances appear, His purposes will prevail and nothing takes Him by surprise. Psalm 93:1 says, “The Lord reigns, he is clothed with majesty.” - This life isn’t the end.
Heaven awaits where Jesus has prepared a place for you. Keep your eyes on eternity. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) - God and good will triumph.
In the end, God wins and evil will be vanquished. Darkness is temporary. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Meditating on these powerful truths will renew your eternal perspective. You can rest in God’s sovereignty rather than being anxious.
You have hope for the future. You know mercy and justice will ultimately prevail.
What an uplifting way to end each day!
Key Takeaways: How to Pray Throughout Your Day
- Upon waking, thank God for His blessings.
- At breakfast, praise His name and character.
- Mid-morning, realign your heart with His purposes.
- At lunch, present your needs and intercede for others.
- Mid-afternoon, confess sins and forgive others.
- Before going home, ask for wisdom and self-control.
- At day’s end, meditate on hopeful, eternal truths.
- Cultivate continual conversation with God about anything.
- Use the Lord’s Prayer as a model for praying through your daily routine.
Keep a Continual Conversation with God Too
In addition to scheduling set prayer times, you can also cultivate an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day.
Talk to Him spontaneously about whatever is on your mind and heart. Share your observations, feelings, and requests. Pray whenever the Holy Spirit prompts you to pray.
This continual communication makes your relationship with God more intimate. It enables you to instantaneously turn to Him at any moment, instead of compartmentalizing prayer to certain times.
The Bible encourages us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
But having designated prayer times still anchors you to regularly connect with God amidst the blur of activities.
Fix anchor points for connecting with God amidst the blur of activities.
Schedule short 1-5 minute appointments with Him at key moments to ensure you don’t go all day disconnected.
Conclusion
In summary, by staying mindfully connected with God throughout the busyness of life you will transform your mood, outlook, priorities, and relationships. You’ll live your hours with meaning, confidence, and peace.
Try using the Lord’s Prayer as a template to pray through your daily routine. See if it makes a difference in your spiritual vitality!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I don’t have time to stop and pray during my busy day?
A. The truth is, you don’t have time NOT to pray! Jesus emphasized that seeking God’s kingdom first results in everything else working out better (Matthew 6:33).
When you prioritize prayer, God multiplies your time and productivity. Just start with 60 seconds.
Q. How do I stay focused praying throughout the hustle and bustle of my day?
A. It just takes practice learning to talk to God amidst activity and noise.
Treat it like having a conversation while on a walk rather than sitting in silence. With time it can become almost second nature.
Q. Why pray the same way each day? Isn’t that repetitive?
A. The Lord’s Prayer gives us a model, not mandatory exact words. Feel free to pray similar themes at each time stamp in your own words.
Routine creates a helpful rhythm without meaningless repetition.
Q. What if I miss a certain time of day due to my schedule?
A. That’s okay, just pick back up when you can. If you normally pray mid-morning but have back-to-back meetings, pray a quick breath prayer asking for focus. Or catch up at lunch. Flexibility is fine.
Q. How do I hear God speak back?
A. Primarily through Scripture, which represents His complete revealed truth.
Also, listen for the Spirit’s inner promptings as you pray. Write down thoughts and weigh if they align with God’s Word. Seek wise counsel too.
