I’ve been sick this week (darn November colds), and so not a lot of energy to write. So here is something I wrote a little while ago, a prayer for my mornings. A prayer to cover my day, to help me begin well. Pray it over your Friday?

I pray for today to be a day of courage. Help me remember that fear is not my boss.

Help me claim my territory, and take up my space. Help me love fully, despite the risk of rejection. Keep my heart tender, protecting it from becoming hard.

I pray for today to be a day of JOY. Help me release judgment and trade in a critical spirit for a hopeful heart. Help me engage in my own life, leaning into whatever the day may hold. Help me have eyes to see the gifts You are always giving. May today be filled with laughter and beauty. Give me opportunities to CELEBRATE other people.

I pray for today to be a day of vulnerability. Help me accept the invitation to my own life. Grant me the ability to trust people in the dark places of my life.

I pray for today to be a day of simplicity. Help me place my focus solely on You and Your Kingdom’s work. Give me the ability to make room for Your people, Your purposes, and Your love. Keep me present to my own life, not envying someone else’s.

I pray for today to be a day of truth. Help me discern Your voice from the voice of the enemy, who is constantly trying to tell me lies. Help me be confident in who You say that I am. Reveal my truest identity, and guide me as I become and un-become. Provide me opportunities to invite others into a sense of belonging and empowerment. Help me speak life, and avoid gossip or lies.

I pray for today to be a day of resurrection. I ask that You would treat me gently in the crucifixion, as gently as can be, and that resurrection and redemption would come quickly. I ask to be a giver of redemption, a bringer of restoration, a provider of reconciliation. Make me a bearer of reckless hope.

Help me remember my call to be brave, not big; faithful, not famous; authentic, not perfect; and strong, but not guarded. Provide me discernment for saying yes to the right things, and no to the right things. Keep me true to myself and true to You.

Remind me constantly of the Gospel story, that You came and lived so that I can too. You were victorious so I am too. You conquered sin so that I can be free too.

Amen and Amen.