First Things First

ETERNAL Father of my soul, let my first thought today be of you, let my first impulse be to worship you, let my first word be your Name, let my first action be to kneel before you in prayer. For your perfect wisdom and perfect goodness; For the love you have for all people; For the love you have for me; For the great and mysterious opportunity of my life; For your Spirit, who dwells in my heart; For the seven gifts of your Spirit; I praise and worship you, O Lord. Yet when this morning prayer is finished, do not let me think that my worship is ended and spend the rest of the day forgetting you. Rather, from these quiet moments, let light and joy and power pour out and remain with me through every hour of this day.” —John Baillie, A Diary of Private Prayer

There is real power in beginning the day with God—not as an afterthought, but as our first thought. When we wake and say, “Lord, let my first thought today be of You,” we are reorienting our hearts toward what truly matters. Before the noise of the world rushes in, before tasks and worries compete for our focus, we choose to fix our eyes on the One who holds the day in His hands. To worship Him with our first breath, to speak His Name with our first word, and to kneel in humble prayer as our first act is to declare: “This day belongs to You, Lord.” It’s not just a routine—it’s a relationship. And when He is first, everything else finds its place. How will you begin your tomorrow? —DH