A PRAYER TO START YOUR WEEK
After the weekend, starting your work or school week can be less than exciting, but if you start your week with a prayer dedicating the week to the Lord, you may be surprised how much better you feel about facing another week.
The Basis of a Good Prayer
If we want to pray powerful prayers, then we need to pray the Word of God, not just our own words. In Isaiah 55:11 we learn that God’s word accomplishes things: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
If we want to see real results, then we need to pray God’s promises back to Him. What promises? The Word of God – the Bible. Find some specific scriptures and promises that apply to the situations of your life and pray those words aloud over your circumstances; expect God to honor His Word and to work His promises in your life. (You can see how I weave scriptures into the prayer below.)
Finally, James 5:16 reminds us that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” So, as you pray, don’t just recite words, pray with passion and belief that God is hearing your prayers and that your prayers are affecting your life and circumstances.
One of my favorite things to do is choose a chapter or two in Psalms and speak it over myself. King David wrote the Psalms about his situations and problems, but we can take those same words and speak them over our circumstances!
A Prayer to Start Your Week
Now pray this aloud from deep within your soul:
Lord, as I start this week, I acknowledge that You are God; You are powerful, good and gracious.
There is no one like You, and I praise Your great name!
You are holy, and there is no other name under heaven by which I receive life and salvation except through Jesus (Act 4:12).
I depend on Your strength and declare that as I wait on You, my strength is being renewed; I will mount up with wings like an eagle, I will run and not be weary, I will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
I declare that You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Ps 46:1-2).
I believe that Jesus broke the power of the curse of sin, death, and disease over my life when He died on the cross, and I thank Him for His sacrifice (Gal. 3:13).
You’ve set before me life and death, blessing and cursing (Deut. 30:19), so I choose life and blessings this week!
I dedicate this week to You and trust that as I make plans, you are directing my steps (Prov. 16:9).
I know that all Your plans for me are good (Jer 29:11), and I declare that no weapon formed against me will prosper (Is. 54:17).
Thank You for going before me; because You will never leave or forsake me, I can be strong and courageous this week (Deut 31:6).
I declare that Your goodness and mercy surround me every moment (Ps 23:6); I am of good courage, and God strengthens my heart because I hope in Him (Ps. 31:24).
Your Kingdom is advancing in my life, and I choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He develops love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control in my life (Gal 5:22-23).
This week, I decide to submit myself to God and resist the devil, and the devil will flee from me (James 4:7)!
I put aside everything that tries to weigh me down along with the sin that tries to entangle me; I will run with endurance the race that is set before me, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Nothing will get me off track; I stand firm no matter what because I’m walking by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
Thank you, Lord, for transforming me and changing me from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18).
I know that as I seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness, all the other things I need will be added to me including food, clothing, shelter, financial provision, healing, and hope (Matt. 6:33).
I know that no matter what happens, you are in control, and You are faithful. I will be faithful to serve and love You.
I choose to forgive everyone who has wronged me, and I thank You, Lord, for forgiving me for the times I’ve failed You (Matt. 6:14-15).
I will diligently obey Your voice, Lord, and I’ll carefully observe all Your commandments, believing that Your blessings will come upon me and overtake me because I obey Your voice (Deut. 28:1-2).
As I make You my refuge, I thank You that no evil will come near me and that Your angels are protecting me (Ps. 91:9-11). “If God is for [me], who can be against [me]” (Romans 8:31)?
I will see victory after victory this week because You are for me and because nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
Thank you, Lord, for hearing me!