Many of us begin our day at the sound of an alarm clock and the smell of a hot cup of coffee, only to later proceed out the door on our way to work or to drop little ones off beforehand. I’ve been guilty of beginning my day without prioritizing prayer and speaking to God more times than I would like to admit.

God craves connection and desires fellowship with each of us. As believers, we make Jesus Lord of our lives, but we don’t always make him Lord of our day. As a mom, more times than not, my busy schedule often distracts me from setting aside that important part of my day.

By creating quality time with Jesus, he sets us up with everything we could ever need. Our day begins with his goodness, favor, protection, and blessing. We are strengthened and equipped with the armor of God. As we face daily opposition, temptation, and spiritual warfare, the quality time we have with God when our day begins can serve as a determining factor in how we handle those moments and the decisions we make.

God can do extraordinary things in our lives, and the communion we give God first thing in the day can set up each moment for his purpose and glory. Our prayer is similar to an accepted invitation for the Holy Spirit to come in and work on our behalf as we go about our day. Life is uncertain and full of challenges. The Holy Spirit lifts us up in our weakness and guides us daily, filling us with a peace that passes all understanding; the peace that casts out all fears, anxieties, and deceptions that may come into our minds. It’s the peace that we can dwell in, even when everything goes wrong. In those moments, we’re reminded just how important our faith is, and that in our faith, we find refuge daily in his truth. During that connection with God in the beginning of our day, our souls can acknowledge his greatness, express true gratitude, and honor him above all other things. Ultimately, we can experience the fullness of his love as we rest in his promises, knowing that our future is secure in his hands.

Psalm 91: “I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.”

Psalm 21:4 “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”

Psalm 91:14 “The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.”

Psalm 91:16 “I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

As your week begins, I challenge the person reading this to make a habit to give God 5 minutes out of the beginning of your day and experience how it can transform your outlook, feelings, and reactions in your everyday life. For me, I have found that it has surely drawn me closer to his presence and enriched my relationship. I hope it can do the same for you.