Give me Jesus
Lately I’ve been starting my day with this R.I.S.E: Morning Prayer Guide. It was inspired by the song Give Me Jesus, are you familiar with it? There’s several versions out by different artists. The first part of the song goes like this:
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus
Back when I was working as a missionary in Mali West Africa, I was listening to my iPod on shuffle and this song came on. I forgot I even had it. It was a nice surprise that quickly became a regular on my playlist. It was a song I definitely needed to hear at that time, as it helped remind me me to keep my focus on Jesus.
Imagine that, even as missionaries sometimes we can get distracted by the “work” we are trying to do, or the various circumstances we face: from environmental challenges to spiritual warfare, that we fixate on those things instead of Jesus. This song was a great reminder that at any moment, from the start of the day, to even in my final hours, seek Jesus, for He is far greater than anything this world has to offer.
Another Reminder
Last January 20th 2019, my mother-in-law was healed from her ongoing battle with Parkinson’s and Dementia when she went home to be with her Creator God in heaven.
As the family and I planned her funeral we were thinking of songs to play or sing at her services. Give Me Jesus was one of the ones that came up. From the stories shared at her service she truly exemplified a life lived for Jesus. He was her greatest desire above all else the world could offer, and she passed that on to her children and their families.
Since that time, this song has been on my mind often, as a reminder once more to put my focus on Jesus, and to desire Him more than anything in the world.
A Morning Prayer
It’s so easy to let the things of this world distract us and keep us from truly experiencing a deep and thriving relationship with Jesus. One of the things that’s been helpful for me lately was this song. I’ve used it as a reminder and prayer to truly live for Christ. I made it a goal to be more intentional with how I start my day. That in the morning when I RISE may I seek out Jesus before even doing anything else.
Praying Through Scripture
I’ve come to learn that starting the day by praying Scripture helps me get on the right track. One of the verses I like to begin my day with is from Psalm 143:8:
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk for I give myself to you.
Psalm 143:8
This verse has been great to memorize, and try to pray it even before I get up out of bed. It’s helped me to focus my mind on Jesus and say “I’m trusting you with today, I give myself to you”
Then, inspired by the song Give Me Jesus, I use the word RISE as a guide to help me pray through other scriptures.
R.I.S.E: Morning Prayer Guide
R: REJOICE
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice
Philippians 4:4
I like to take this time to praise God for who He is! Think of a character trait(s) of God that he has shown you in the recent days, and thank Him for revealing himself to you in that way. Praise God even for trials and difficulties, for often in those moments we truly see how great our GOD is.
I: INVITE
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Romans 8:26
Now I use this time to invite the Holy Spirit into my quiet time and into my day. For Jesus promised to send us a Helper or Advocate to be with us, and that is the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). He also promised that when the Holy Spirit comes, you will receive power to tell others about Jesus (Acts 1:8).
Often times I don’t tap into this power and help enough. When I am aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit, it helps put my mind in the right perspective. As I go about my day, whether things are going smoothly, and especially if they’re not, I know I can face it with the Holy Spirit.
S: SHARE YOUR REQUESTS
Don’t worry about anything instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6
Share your requests. Tell God what’s on your heart. What are your needs? Maybe it’s specific needs for the day. Or maybe it’s about an ongoing issue or trial you’ve been dealing with for some time now. Whatever it is tell God. Talk to him.
I love that we can have this real connection with God and just share our hearts with him. He is listening. Then as Philippians 4:6 says, when you’ve poured your heart to God, make sure to thank him. Thank him that he hears you. Thank him that he answers. (It may or may not look like how we want him to answers, but he will answer.) Sometimes having the attitude of gratitude can make a big difference in how we face our trials.
E: EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:16-20
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Lastly, EXPECT God to come through. He wants us to claim the promises he gave and to EXPERIENCE who HE is. He wants you to experience His deep deep love, his power, and his peace. So claim it. Expect it. What a way to end a prayer time filled with Hope that everything God said he will do, will happen.
This isn’t a 3 wishes from a genie type of expectation or hope either. It’s a BE STILL and KNOW kind of hope. The kind that says, “whether these trials go away, or my circumstances change or not – God you remain faithful, and I find Peace in You.”
It’s that kind of expectation that says, when I’m struggling with how to love my neighbor – I look to you because you first loved us! (1 John 4:19). When I’m feeling lost or week, I can expect your Holy Spirit to be right there to guide me and comfort me, because your Word says so.
I know when I remember to start my day like this, my day just seems to go smoother. Not to say I won’t face any problems, but it’s more that my perspective shifts from me or my present circumstance to GOD. I am able to respond to my toddler with patience and kindness, instead of frustration and anger (which is more natural for me). It reminds me to be more tender and compassionate towards my husband, instead of nagging or irritable. It allows me to focus on God from the start of the day, and throughout the day I can recall my prayer time and keep my focus on him.
You can download a copy of this prayer guide in my Free Printable Library. I truly hope this can also help you start your day with JESUS.