What I Am Currently Doing for My Morning Prayer

I was recently asked what my current prayer life is like. So, let me take the opportunity to share with you what I am currently doing for my morning prayer.

First thing in the morning after I get awakened (usually requiring a cup of coffee), I begin my morning prayer time. Currently I am doing 4 things in my prayer time:

1. Praying the Psalms.
2. Reflecting on a passage of scripture.
3. Reflecting upon a written prayer.
4. Communing with God.  

Let's Talk About Each

1. praying the psalms

The first thing I do in my prayer time is pray a couple of Psalms. Praying the Psalms is much different that reading the Psalms. Earlier this year I published a book titled, “Psalms of a Sinner”.

Psalms of a Sinner is a collection of my personal reflections on each of the Psalms in the Bible. Essentially, I took each of the Psalms and put them into my own words as I would pray them in the context of my life. 

Currently, I am selecting 2-3 of these Psalms and praying them to God. As I pray them, I am reflecting on whether my prayers are the same. How have I grown? How has my experience of God changed? What is new? What is the same? Is there a new testimony I can give praise to God?

2. reflecting on a passage of scripture

After praying the Psalms, I will read a passage of scripture. I’ll spend time pondering the scripture and thinking about supporting scriptures found in the Word of God.

3. reflecting upon a written prayer

Following this time of reflection upon scripture, I will read the morning prayer from the Liturgy of Hours. 

No, I am not Catholic. I am protestant. But God has placed the Hours in my spiritual practice as a tool from which I have grown tremendously.

I enjoy reading the written prayers as they always provide deep theological reflection. I do not use them always, but at times I will pick them up. Presently, I am. 

4. communing with God

Finally, I will spend time communing with God. This time can be a variety of things. I don’t do the same thing every day. In a sort of way, I let God lead this time.

Sometimes in my spirit, I feel the need to be still before God. I will literally sit before God, not thinking, not talking, not doing anything but being aware of God.

Other times, I will think about what God is not. This is called Apophatic Theology - sometimes called negative theology. It’s approaching God by dwelling upon what may not be said about the incredible goodness of God.

Then there are times where God and I will have a conversation. Talking with God. Hearing the Holy Spirit witnessing with my spirit. Putting something before God and having him to bring to my mind scriptures and teachings about it. 

My Morning Practice

This is where I am at right now in my morning prayer practice. God only knows how long I will follow this format. I suppose when God is ready, he will lead me where he wants me to go. Until then, this is what you will find me doing.

What prayer practices does God have you using right now?