Why you should be starting your day with prayer, gratitude, and praise!

Life is full of mountains that sometimes seem impossible to climb. But we must remember that "the LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:8. We are not alone! When the briars in our life snag and scratch against our soft skin, we still have one "person" who is steadfast at all times.

That's all fine and dandy, but what about when life just seems to much to bare? This is why it is so important to walk into each day- placing the "armor of God" on us. Ephesians 6: 11-18. When you walk into each day, opening your Bible, showing your gratitude/praise, and praying- you are doing three things.

First: Prayer is POWER. Prayer is the foundation of everything unfolding in your life. There is not a prayer in the world that God does not hear for the saved. If you are righteous, and have opened your heart to God, He hears you. 1 Peter 3:12. You may not like the answer, or get the answer the way you thought, but God hears your crys, your pain, and everything in between.

Prayer is also a way of release. To let go of what you cannot control because God's WILL always outperforms and outweighs our own. Our minds are simplistically led and promoted by the satisfaction of the flesh. God's will is dedicated to providing what we need, satisfaction in our hearts/spirit, and a life that brings glory to His name. Jeremiah 29:11.

Second: Gratitude is STRENGTH- When you are approaching daily starting with gratitude for what is in your life- your are giving glory to God. The fact that you arose again, another day... is a miracle in and of itself. Have you ever looked into every individual specificality it takes for your body to even function? The brain waves, neurological functioning, blood flow, digestion, automatic things our body does- that if even one of them did not function properly you would simply DIE.

Gratitude shows what you are thankful for- from the smallest thing, like the breeze on clammy skin, having cool and clean water, having access to warm clothes- We are so fortunate in what we have. Gratitude fuels and reminds us who we are. What we are. Gratitude is also a clear indicator, that even in storms- you appreciate what God is doing for you. For if you are not gracious and show appreciation, why would God bless you with more?

Starting your day with gratitude coats you in the armor of peace. It re directs signals of negativity in your brain to look for the good in every situation. To embrace the chaos of unknowns, and coat you in courage.

Third: Praise is FREEDOM! Praise- the un apologetic dance off. Of showing God the Glory is HIS. Praise is freedom, why? Because it has been scientifically proven that dancing and singing releases key endorphins, hormones- you know, those happy good feeling neurological signals like serotonin? Theres a reason God deserves the praise- because the Holly Spirit FILLS us when we praise Him.

It puts a sword of the spirit in our hand, sharpens our mind, and clears the storm clouds away- filling and softening our heart.

I dare you to implement all three of these for ten days. Take twenty minutes every morning, sit down write ten things you're thankful for, end in prayer for your day, and finish with ten minutes of just PRAISING GOD for who He is and the glory only He deserves. You will completely re-wire your brain.