Changes to My Routine


Our days are filled with things that are done habitually. We set our alarm to wake up and get started on our important tasks.We brush our teeth without thinking about it. We switch on the morning news because that's what we do each day. We make our coffee or drink our tea. And on and on it goes.
Every morning I put on four things--2 rings, my watch and my cross necklace. For years I did this routine mechanically without thinking. These four objects are important to me, my wedding ring, my faith ring, my watch and my cross. Now I take a moment to stop and pray as I get dressed. 
  • Putting on my watch I pray something like this, "Lord thank you for another day; please help me to use it for Your glory. Show me how to use the time that you have given me wisely and help me to be salt and light as I go my way."
  • As I slip on my Wedding Ring I might pray, "Lord thank you for my husband. Be with him today and protect him. Help him to seek You with all his being. Help me to be the wife that he needs. Give him wisdom as he makes important decisions."
  • My faith ring goes on next and the prayer goes something like this, "Lord help me to show Your faith, hope and love to each person that I encounter each day. Use me to bring wisdom and encouragement in the lives of the people I meet. Show me the Divine Appointments that You have for me today."
  • My cross is usually the last one that I put on, so I say "Thank you Lord for Jesus' willingness to go to the cross for me. Thank you that He did not stay in the grave, but rose triumphantly so that I can spend eternity with Him. Thank you that I don't have to earn my salvation, but that it is a free gift. Help me to show His love to a hurting world."
Turning my routine into prayers helps to get me focused and think about the day ahead. Are there any routines that you could turn into prayers? 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

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