21 Short Morning Prayers to Brighten your Day (with Free Printable)

Looking for ways to start your day with short morning prayers that will uplift your soul and encourage your heart? When we wake up in the morning, we are often abruptly jolted from our peaceful slumber by a shrieking alarm clock, even the wonderful sounds of our amazing children proclaiming their hunger, all to remind us that it’s time to get out of bed and begin the daily grind.

But what if instead of rolling out of bed with a groan, we woke up filled with peace and joy, eager to meet with God each day? 

What if we took a few moments before the hustle of our busy days began, and we found a place of quiet and serene rest for our souls? 

Praying to God in the Morning

It is recorded in the gospels that Jesus often left the bustle of the large crowds and meet with the Lord in the morning so he could pray.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

We may not be able to leave our house to meet with God, but we can find a solitary place within our homes to reorient our hearts and minds by starting our days with prayer in the morning.

21 Short Morning Prayers to Start your Day

Here are 21 short morning prayers you can pray each morning as you start your day.

1. A Prayer of Thanksgiving

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17

Starting our day with a heart of praise and thanksgiving is the best way to begin our day. Giving thanks to God takes the focus off of ourselves and exalts our God as Lord in our lives. Write down at least five things you are thankful to God for in the morning, and praise Him for his goodness and grace in your life!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, I give you thanks this morning, because of your righteousness. Because of your work on the cross, I now have the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). I will sing your praises today because you are good, and your love endures forever. Psalm 100:5

2. A Prayer for Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

We all need to grow in wisdom each day as we encounter people and situations throughout our lives. Solomon in 2 Chronicles 1:10 asked God for wisdom to lead and govern God’s people. He could have asked God for anything he wanted–but he asked for wisdom. How much more should we ask God for wisdom as we lead our families, perform in our work environments, and live within our communities?

We can pray for wisdom each morning, and our gracious God will graciously meet our requests.

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, I ask that you give me a spirit of wisdom and discernment to make choices that honor and glorify you today, and so that I may know you better (Ephesians 1:17). Thank you that within you are treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and you generously supply me with understanding through your Holy Spirit (Colossians 2:3). Amen.

3. A Prayer for Courage

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Before our feet hit the floor in the morning, we can pray and boldly ask God to give us courage to face the day. We have all experienced difficult times in our lives when we felt as if the burdens of the world were on our shoulders–and it seemed much easier to hide in bed. But we can have courage and confidence to face each day, knowing that our God has gone before us and is with us, and will not let us fall!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, I ask for your strength and courage to help me face the day ahead of me. I don’t know what is going to happen or what lies ahead, but I know that I can conquer this day, because you are with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9). Because you are my God and the lifter of my head, I will not fear the terror of night, or the arrow that flies by day–for you are my shield and rampart (Psalm 91:4-5). Amen.

4. A Prayer for Hope

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

Praise God for the hope we have through Jesus! Because of this hope, we can hop out of bed and begin our day knowing that our hope in Christ will anchor and secure our souls.

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, thank you that your hope never disappoints, because your love has been poured out through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). I know I can face this day with faith, confidence, and my head held high because you are my help and shield (Psalm 33:20). Amen.

5. A Prayer for Peace

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In a world filled with constant turmoil and anguish, it is a great comfort to know that we can have the peace of Christ. Start each day asking God to cover and surround you with his peace. Rest in the knowledge that though we may experience trouble in this world, we can hold onto the peace of God, who has already overcome anything we will ever face!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me your perfect peace that abides in my soul and rules in my heart (Colossians 3:15). May I not be shaken by the circumstances that surround me, but help me to gird my feet with the gospel of peace and walk in the peace that you have graciously given to me (Ephesians 6:15, John 14:27). Amen.

6. A Prayer for Strength

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

How often do we get out of bed tired and weary? It is definitely important that we try our best to go to bed at a reasonable hour the night before so that we can wake up the next day strengthened and refreshed. We can pray each morning that God will not only fill us with physical strength, but emotional, mental, and spiritual strength to accomplish the goals and tasks we need to do each day.

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, I ask that you will supernaturally infuse me with your strength and power to face this day. Thank you that your joy is my strength, and that you are my strength and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26). Amen.

7. A Prayer for Joy

…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

Pray in the morning for the Lord to restore your joy. We can experience complete joy when we abide in Christ and allow his joy to become our strength.

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, thank you for the complete joy I have in you! I praise you for turning my wailing into dancing. Thank you for removing my cloak of shame and mourning, and for clothing me with your joy (Psalm 30:11). Amen.

8. A Prayer of Expectation

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:3

Are you waiting for the Lord to move on your behalf? Are you patiently praying for a breakthrough and trusting God to meet your every need? Rising early in the morning is a great way to wait expectantly for him to speak through his Word. When we are up early in the morning, all is quiet. Other family members may not be up yet, which gives room for clarity of thought and uninterrupted time with the Lord.

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, this morning I lay my requests before you. I humbly wait in expectation for how you will work powerfully in my life. I lay my cares, concerns, and burdens at your feet, and trust that you will help me in my time of need. Amen.

9. A Prayer of Rejoicing

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5

This passage gives us hope because it reminds us that the difficult circumstances we face in our lives are temporary. We may mourn and weep during the “midnight hours” of our turmoil and pain, but we can look forward to a time when we will experience joy “in the morning”. Whatever time of difficulty you are currently going through, trust that Lord will comfort you with his joy in the morning!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, I pray this morning that you will give me the strength to endure the moments in my life that are filled with suffering and pain. Help me to remember that though I may weep and mourn for a moment, your joy will meet me in the morning. Amen.

10. A Prayer of Distress

As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

Psalm 55:16-17

Are there times when you sometimes feel like God is distant and far away? It can sometimes feel like our prayers barely hit the ceiling–but we must have faith to believe that God DOES hear our prayers, and that he is attentive in our moments of distress. His Word says that he is close to the brokenhearted, and that he will never leave or forsake us. Remember that our God is walking alongside us through every moment of pain and difficulty. Each morning as you rise to meet with him, hold on to the truth that your loving Heavenly Father hears your every prayer!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, I cry out to you in my despair and distress. It seems like my sorrows are surrounding me on every side. Even in the midst of my pain, I cry out to you and trust that you hear me–in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, may I never stop seeking your face. Thank you Lord, that you hear my prayer today. Amen.

11. A Prayer of Fortitude

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16

Isn’t it such a blessing to know that God is our fortress and refuge in times of trouble? The Hebrew word for fortress in this passage means defense, high place, high tower, and refuge (source). It is a place of safety and shelter during times of danger. When we rise in the morning,  remember that God is our refuge and source of strength–that is worth singing about!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, I thank you for being my refuge and strength today. This morning, I will sing of your mighty love and faithfulness. During times of trouble and difficulty, help me to run to you–my strong tower. Amen.

12. A Prayer of Awe and Wonder

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65:8

How often do we rise in the morning and sit in awe at the wondrous beauty of our Lord? Mornings can be a busy time of rushing to get started with our day, and sometimes we miss the simple beauty of the morning around us. The chirping birds at the break of dawn. The grass that is blanketed with drops of sparkling dew. The glimmer of the golden sun that slowly peeks through the morning horizon. Every morning we have the opportunity to witness the power and beauty of God’s glorious creation–and call forth songs of joy and thanksgiving.

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, thank you for the beauty of your creation. Every morning I am greeted with glimpses of your power and glory. Help me to take the time to slow down this morning, and relish the joy and wonder of your creation. Amen.

13. A Prayer for Help

But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

Psalm 88:13

The Gospels describe the moments when Jesus woke up early in the morning to spend time with God in prayer (Mark 1:35). If Jesus found it beneficial to pray to God in the morning, how much more should we also follow in his footsteps? Whether it is a cry for help in your finances, relief from marital strife, emotional pain, or unemployment, the morning brings hope of newness and renewal. Pour out your heart to God, and ask him for the strength you need to approach the day with his peace.

Short Morning Prayer:  Lord, today I pour my heart out to you. Right now, I am in desperate need of your strength and hope. Help me to remember that you are always with me, and that you will give me the courage I need to conquer this day with your grace. Amen.

14. A Prayer of Gladness

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

Have you noticed that many of the Scriptures that refer to the morning also mention God’s unfailing love? What if we were to consciously wake to each new morning with thoughts of God’s love on our minds and hearts? How would that affect our attitudes the rest of the day? When we think of God’s unfailing love, may our hearts be filled with joy and gladness at the mighty God we serve!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, thank you that you satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love. No matter what the day brings, fill my heart with joy and gladness as I remember how good and faithful you have been to me and my family. Amen. 

15. A Prayer of Praise

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night…

Psalm 92:1-2

When we spend time with God in the morning, we can offer up praise to him in many different ways. We can praise the Lord through singing hymns, writing a prayer of praise, or jotting down a simple list of what we are grateful for. Psalm 92 also mentions praising God with instruments. Even if you do not play a musical instrument, turning on your favorite worship music is a great way to spend time with God in praise each morning!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, this morning I proclaim your love and faithfulness to those around me. Thank you that you have promised to never leave or forsake me. You are the Most High God, and you are worthy to be praised. Amen. 

16. A Prayer of Waiting

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Psalm 130:6

Have you ever waited eagerly for a special day or event, and counted down the days until the big day? We understand how difficult it can be to wait for something that we are excited about–but do we have that same joy and eager anticipation to spend time with God each day? Do we count down the time, waiting in anticipation to talk to God, sharing all the many things that encompass our hearts and minds as the morning dawns?

In the Bible, watchmen were commissioned to stand at the city walls of major cities to guard and keep watch over the city at night (Isaiah 5:1–2, Song of Songs 3:3, Isaiah 62:6). We can only imagine how eager they must have been to see the glimmer of the morning sun after a long night of watching the city. May we also, like the psalmist of Psalm 130, wait for the Lord…perhaps, more than the watchmen wait for morning.

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, I wait for you today with joy, excitement, and eager anticipation. I wait for you to hear my prayer, and I wait for you to answer sovereignly and in your perfect timing. Help me to wait for you, more than the watchmen wait for morning. Amen. 

17. A Prayer of Trust

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

Psalm 143:8

The start of a new day is not only a reminder of God’s love and faithfulness in our lives, but an opportunity to continue to trust God. In what ways do you need to trust God today? Take your concerns and prayers to him, and trust that he will continue to lead you on the right path.

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, thank you that each day is a new opportunity for me to trust you more and more. Help me to remember that as I trust in you and rely on your wisdom, you will continue to make my paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Today, I choose to trust your sovereign will in my life. Amen. 

18. A Prayer for Mercy

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

This passage in Lamentations 3:22-23 is a popular Scripture that echoes the beauty and power and God’s mercies that are new every morning. What a blessing it is to know that each new morning reminds us of this wonderful truth! May the Lord continue to shower us with his grace and mercy at the start of each new day!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for your mercies that are new every morning. Thank you that through the sacrifice of Jesus, I am not consumed, but my sins are forgiven. Help me to extend grace and forgiveness to those around me, and to cherish the amazing gift of your grace and mercy in my life, personally. Amen. 

19. A Prayer of Longing

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

Isaiah 26:9

Are you a coffee lover? Many of us look forward to a freshly brewed cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Long ago there used to be a commercial that had the tagline, “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.” I would say the best part of waking up is being able to commune with our Father as He awaits to hear our voices. The prophet Isaiah reminds us in the above passage that our souls can long for the Lord each morning–even more than we enjoy our favorite morning expresso!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, each day, may I be filled with greater longing and desire to spend time in your presence. Help me to yearn for more of your wisdom, strength, and knowledge. Amen.

20. A Prayer for Grace

Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

Isaiah 33:2

Not only is God’s mercy new every morning, but his grace and compassion abound with each passing day. The Hebrew word for gracious in this passage means to show favor, consideration, and mercy. What a blessing it is to receive God’s favor and kindness!

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, strengthen me this morning, and surround me with your favor and kindness. Thank you that during times of difficulty and distress, you will uplift me and sustain me. Thank you for being my light and salvation. Amen.

21. A Prayer of Endurance 

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

Isaiah 50:4

The morning is a great time to sit at the feet of our Savior and receive wisdom and instruction from Scripture. His Word sustains the weary, and gives us the strength to endure the obstacles that come our way. How wonderful it is to wake up each morning to receive first-hand instruction from the God of all creation! Are you eager to hear what new insights the Lord will speak to you today?

Short Morning Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Word that gives me endurance and strength. During the weary moments in life when I feel like giving up, help me to remember that in the morning, you will teach and instruct me in the way I should go. Amen. 

Free Short Morning Prayers Printable

When we rise in the morning to meet with God and pray his Word into our lives, we are ready to face our day with joy, strength, confidence, and boldness! Feel free to download this prayer printable to remind yourself to pray powerfully each morning!

Just click HERE to download this printable!

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You can also check out the BOLD Prayers of Jesus Challenge! In this prayer challenge you will receive a free prayer journal, prayer guide, Scripture cards, Bible journaling stickers, and more!

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