A Morning Prayer

Each morning, missionary and author, Norman Grubb, would pray a simple prayer:

Good morning, God.
What are You up to today?
I want to be a part of it.
May I?
Thank You, God.
Amen.

For me, this short prayer is like spiritual medicine. It frames my day with hope. It opens my expectations to possibilities beyond my finite thoughts, my gnawing anxieties, and my gloomy uncertainties. It reminds me that God is fully in charge of this day. God is doing something that matters, and I can be part of His program — yes, even today. That possibility puts meaning into my day.

Any of us can pray these words! It's a wonderful prayer. It shifts our minds from our agenda for God to God's agenda for us — or rather, for anyone He wishes, anywhere, and in any way — according to His glorious, divine purposes. To be sure, God's agenda is far grander than what we can fathom! We can expect surprises — every day.

Jeremiah 33:3 – Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (NIV)

I am learning to recognize God's invitations into His agenda, even through trivial conversations. They are opportunities for His grace to shine, perhaps through my faltering affirmations. I've caught glimpses of God at work in my own heart, like when He's used troubled sinners to help me grow in empathy and mercy. He's used fretful people to remind me of my own need to grow in faith. Recently, I witnessed God's hand through a friend's testimony, shared casually over a cup of tea. My part was simply to listen with joy, give praise to God, and hold my friend up in prayer.

Today, I was reminded of God's hand in the past, through reading about St. Patrick in fifth-century Ireland. That's the very same God still working today — right now! God is still just as powerful, and His grand agenda is still in place: He's still sustaining humanity, through every breath of air, every drop of kindness. And He's still drawing the hopelessly lost into His grace, through His miraculous work. I want to know about it, and even be part of it!

Oh, what a privilege it is to join God in His program for today! Do you believe that it's possible? If so, then you can boldly pray this prayer — each morning:

Prayer: Good morning, God. What are You up to today? I want to be a part of it. May I? Thank You, God. Amen.