Prayer is vital to the Christian life. God calls us to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to pray at all times (Ephesians 6:18). Two important times for prayer are in the morning and evening. Morning and evening prayers help bookend our days with God, allowing Him to guide and direct everything in between. Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about morning and evening prayers.
The Biblical Basis for Morning and Evening Prayers
The Bible provides a solid framework for consistently praying in the morning and evening. Psalms 5:3 states, “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” This shows David’s habit of beginning his days in prayer, laying his needs before God. Psalms 141:2 reveals that “evening, morning and noon” were set times of prayer. Daniel 6:10 tells us that Daniel had a habit of praying toward Jerusalem three times a day, which likely included morning and evening prayers. The Old Testament priests began and ended their days with sacrifices and prayers ( Exodus 29:38-39; 1 Chronicles 23:30).
In the New Testament, Jesus rose early in the morning to spend time alone in prayer (Mark 1:35). He saw prayer as a vital connection to the Father that took priority over other tasks. Jesus taught the disciples to watch and pray so they would not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41). Many believe this refers specifically to praying in the evening and nighttime hours when we are tempted to sin in thought, word or deed. Mark 6:46 describes Jesus spending time alone in the evening to pray. The example Christ set is one we can follow – beginning and ending each day with focused prayer time.
The Purposes of Morning and Evening Prayers
Morning and evening prayer times serve many purposes in the believer’s life. Here are some of the primary reasons to consistently pray at the start and close of each day:
- Reset our hearts and minds on Christ – Morning prayer starts our days with a Christ-centered focus. Evening prayer clears away the clutter and resets our minds on Jesus before bed.
- Meditate on God’s Word – Morning and evening prayers center around Scripture, allowing us to meditate on specific verses or passages.
- Align our will with God’s – We lay down our own desires and agendas before God, asking Him to align our will with His purposes for the day.
- Give thanks – Regular times of thanksgiving in morning and evening prayer nurture grateful hearts. We reflect on God’s blessings and provision in our lives.
- Confess sin – Short accounts with God include morning and evening confessions, receiving His mercy and grace.
- Intercede for others – Consistent prayer times allow us to lift the needs of others before God on a daily basis.
- Hear God’s voice – Morning and evening quiet times open space for God to speak to us through His Word and Spirit.
- Prepare for spiritual warfare – Prayer equips us for daily battles against the enemy of our souls.
Key Elements to Include in Morning and Evening Prayers
Morning and evening prayer times can include similar elements. Here are some key things to incorporate:
Scripture Reading and Meditation
All prayer should be grounded in Scripture. Some find it impactful to read the same verses each morning and evening for a week or month to really soak in their meaning. Others prefer a reading plan that works through various books. Highlighting key verses to come back to later is helpful. Ask God to speak through His Word.
Praise and Thanksgiving
Entering God’s presence with praise focuses our minds on Him. Thanking God for specific blessings and answered prayers nurtures an awareness of His constant care and provision. Singing worship songs or hymns can also usher our hearts into praising God at the start and close of each day.
Confession
A healthy prayer life includes regular confession. We humble ourselves before God, agreeing with Him about the reality of our sin. Claiming 1 John 1:9 reminds us that He forgives and cleanses those who confess. Confession makes our hearts right before God at the start and end of each day.
Intercession
Praying for others links us to God’s heart of compassion. We can ask God to meet the needs of our family, friends, church family, neighbors, nation, and world. Many create a prayer list to consistently remember specific requests. Setting reminders to pray for certain people at certain times can help, too. We bear each other’s burdens as we bring one another’s concerns before God.
The Lord’s Prayer
Many recite the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 as part of their morning and/or evening prayers. Jesus provided this model as an outline for how to pray in connection with God’s purposes and glory. It reminds us to pray for God’s kingdom, provision, forgiveness, guidance and deliverance.
Listening
While prayer involves speaking and presenting our requests to God, listening is also essential. We quiet our minds in God’s presence, asking Him to speak through His Word or the gentle nudging of His Spirit. Writing down “prayer journal” thoughts can help us reflect on how God is leading each day.
Developing the Habit of Morning and Evening Prayer
To experience the full benefits of bookending our days with prayer, it’s important to develop consistency in this spiritual discipline. Here are some tips for making morning and evening prayer a habit:
- Start small – Even just 5-10 minutes to begin cultivating the habit.
- Attach prayer time to an existing habit – For example, pray right after waking up/before bed or with breakfast/dinner.
- Have a dedicated prayer space – Set up a comfortable spot to meet with God.
- Use prayer lists and Scripture cards – Visual reminders help focus our minds.
- Vary the elements – Mix up your prayer methods to stay engaged.
- Involve family/roommates for mutual accountability.
- Set reminders to keep it top of mind.
- Partner with a prayer partner for encouragement.
The Lord’s Blessings through Morning and Evening Prayers
God rewards those who diligently seek Him in morning and evening prayer. Here are some blessings that come from consistently bookending our days with prayer:
- A renewed mind and heart, set on Christ
- Victory over sin and temptation
- An eternal perspective for daily life and choices
- Intimacy with Jesus
- Awareness of God’s presence, guidance and provision
- Growth in wisdom and discernment
- Confidence and joy rooted in God’s love
- Deepened faith and trust
- A spirit of gratitude and contentment
- Lasting peace that transcends circumstances
Morning and evening prayers position us to walk closely with God all throughout the day. These vital connection points keep our focus on what is eternal rather than fleeting. When we continually meet with God through bookend prayer times, we experience the fullness of joy He desires for all His children. Consistency is key, so by God’s strength and grace, may we persist in this life-giving spiritual discipline!