Be honest. What’s the very first thing you do in the morning?   Hit the snooze button?   Check email?   Head straight for the coffee.  Well, you aren’t alone.  I rarely can get my thoughts together unless I have that first cup. 

But wait.  Perhaps you and I need to be reminded that we were able to get up at all, we are alive, and we have another day ahead of us. 

Unless you are a real morning person, getting out of a warm bed and starting your day is tough to do.  And this is specifically why you and I need to start our day with prayer. 

Words don’t come easily but that’s not the point.  God doesn’t need words.  He merely wants us to think of Him as we start our day. 

The Jewish rabbis have an interesting thought.  That sleep is 1/60 of death.  That our souls can depart but return when we wake up.  There are no guarantees to wake up in the morning, but when we do, it’s only proper that we take a moment to express gratitude for another day, for another opportunity to live our lives. 

Its rather ironic and unfortunate that that of many of us groan in annoyance, that we must get up, without recognizing the incredible blessing that we are able and that God has kept us safe during the night. Many others may not have that privilege.

So instead of praying for ourselves. perhaps the very first words that come to our thoughts should be one of gratitude.  We often spend the rest of our waking day focused on ourselves, our needs, our work, social engagements.

So perhaps the first thing you and I need to pray is “thank you.”  We are alive and safe.  Then we can pray for others.  We might remember that old song…….” Lead me to some soul today and teach me Lord just what to say.” 

The first thing is thankfulness, then pray for others, then for ourselves. 
                                         That’s the first thing!