A Prayer of Gratitude to Pray in the Morning

Debbie McDaniel

iBelieve Contributing Writer
Updated Aug 19, 2024
A Prayer of Gratitude to Pray in the Morning

When we’re willing to come before Him with gratitude and humility, we realize that no matter what we face, God doesn’t just work to change our situations and help us through our problems. He does more. He changes our hearts. His power, through hearts of thankfulness and focused minds on Him, releases the grip our struggles have over us. We're strengthened by His peace, refueled by His joy.

There are days when life feels heavy, and the challenges seem relentless. Everything around us may be shifting, and we find ourselves up against overwhelming battles. Whether it's a tough illness or a dark season, the struggle drags on despite our prayers, refusing to let go.

Yet even in the midst of it all, we still have so much to be grateful for in this life.

For the days where it may really be a sacrifice to offer praise and thanks…

For the days when we’ve seen His mighty hand powerfully at work in our circumstances…

And for all of those days in between, when we feel busy, or weary, distant, or troubled…

May God help us to remember to come to Him first. His Spirit at work within us, over us, is what makes a lasting and powerful difference in our lives. And we have a daily choice to give Him thanks.

When we’re willing to come before Him with gratitude and humility, we realize that no matter what we face, God doesn’t just work to change our situations and help us through our problems. He does more. He changes our hearts. His power, through hearts of thankfulness and focused minds on Him, releases the grip our struggles have over us. We're strengthened by His peace, refueled by His joy.

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/JudeBeck


A Prayer of Gratitude for the Morning

Dear God,

Thank you for your promise that your mercies are new every morning and your faithfulness is great. Thank you for your amazing power, your great love and work in our lives. Thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. We’re so grateful that only in you can we find hope for even the toughest of times. Thank you for your power that gives us strength and for your Spirit who helps us in all things.

Thank you for your mercy and grace, that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don’t thank you enough for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh today. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy.

Thank you that your ways are far greater than our ways and your thoughts far deeper than our thoughts. Thank you that you had a plan to redeem and that in you, all things are made new. Thank you that your face is towards the righteous, you are close to the brokenhearted, you hear our cries, and know our hearts. Thank you for your daily, powerful presence in our lives, that we can be assured, no matter what we’re facing, your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that you surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care.

We ask that you would keep our footsteps firm on solid ground, helping us to be consistent and faithful. Give us supernatural endurance to stay the course, not swerving to the right or to the left, or being too easily distracted by other things that would seek to call us away from a close walk with you. We pray for your protection over our lives, our families, and other believers. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the evil intent of the enemy, that you would be a barrier over us and we would find refuge in you. We pray you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.

Shine your light in us, through us, and over us. May we make a difference in this world for your glory, so your purposes would stand. Set your way before us. May all your plans succeed. May we reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing.

We love you and we need you Lord, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for you alone are worthy, and we are more than conquerors through the gift of Christ!

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

To help you in thanking God, we created a 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide HERE. Download and print this guide to keep with you as a reminder of God's love and promises.


What the Power of Gratitude Can Do in Our Lives:

  • It gets our eyes off ourselves and helps us to focus back on God.

“O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:1-3

  • It reminds us we're not in control, but that we serve a Mighty God who is. It keeps us in a place of humility and dependency on Him, as we recognize how much we need Him.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

  • It helps us to remember how much we have to be thankful for. It takes our attention off our problems and helps us to reflect on the goodness of God’s many blessings.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”  Psalm 100:4-5

  • It reminds us that God is the giver of all good gifts. We were never intended to be fully self-sufficient in this life, and a grateful heart reminds us that He alone is our Provider.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

  • A heart of gratitude leaves no room for complaining. It’s impossible to be truly thankful and filled with negativity and ungratefulness at the same time.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

  • It makes the enemy flee. The forces of darkness cannot gain a foothold in the presence of those who give praise, thanks, and honor to God.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28-29

  • It opens the door for God’s continued blessings. It invites His presence and our spirits are refreshed and renewed in Him. 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5

Just as sure as the sun comes up every morning, we can be confident that God’s great mercies never end. They are never based on how good we are, but only on His steadfast character. His compassion towards us is fresh each morning, and every day is a gift straight from His hand.

Peace.


Debbie's HeadshotDebbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, and mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's Facebook page for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also on Twitter and at her blog debbiemcdaniel.com.

This article is part of our prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

Prayers for Healing That Bring Daily Strength and Comfort
Prayers for Strength to Use in Difficult Times
Can We Really Pray Without Ceasing?
Powerful Morning Prayers to Begin Your Day

Types of Prayers We See in the Bible
What Is the Prayer of Jabez in the Bible?
How to Pray for Your Daily Bread
Prayers for Anxiousness


Now available is our new Daily Prayer devotional! An easy way to start your day with prayer: read today’s prayer and sign up to receive it by email.

prayer submit button