A Prayer to Start the Day with Gladness - Your Daily Prayer - May 15
A Prayer to Start the Day with Gladness
By Kristine Brown
“Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17 ESV)
The moment I wake up, thoughts begin competing for my attention. I’ve noticed that my response depends on where I put my focus. I may react with frustration over my long to-do list awaiting me, or I may worry about things out of my control. I might even feel moody because I didn’t sleep well. So I have a choice to make first thing in the morning when starting my day. Will I choose to focus on whichever thought screams the loudest? Or will I choose gladness?
Acts 14 gives an account of Paul and Barnabas as they traveled around preaching about Jesus. While in Lystra, God used Paul to heal a man “crippled from birth.” The townspeople immediately began praising Paul and Barnabas and calling them gods. The crowd’s focus was on the wrong thing, so they couldn’t see the true source of their gladness.
Paul and Barnabas showed great remorse for how the people responded. They pleaded with the witnesses to “turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” (Acts 14:15) Then Paul pointed the people back to Jesus by telling them about his goodness.
“Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17 ESV)
The people who witnessed the miracle healing had every reason to be glad that day. No doubt they wanted to rejoice for this good thing they’d seen happen right before their eyes! But they turned their focus away from the One who will satisfy us, whatever the day brings. Paul’s words from our key verse still hold truth for us today. Instead of beginning the day focused on the wrong things, let’s think about this:
Jesus satisfies our hearts with gladness.
Starting the day with gladness will change the atmosphere in our homes, workplaces, or wherever we are. It sets the right tone for the day ahead. Let’s thank Jesus right now and start this day being glad because of Him.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are my source of gladness. When I’m tempted to start my day with worry, frustration, or disappointment, I will turn my focus toward you. I have reason to rejoice today because of Jesus.
It’s so easy to get distracted by the cares of this world and forget that you created the earth and everything in it. James 1:17 tells me, “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” Thank you for the beauty of your creation, the comfort of your presence, and the wonderful gift of eternal life through your son. Whatever this day brings, I will respond with gladness because you are the only One who satisfies my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Design credit: ©SalemdDesign/Bethany Pyle
Related Resource: 5 Things Parents Need to Tell Their Kids About War Right Now
When war dominates the headlines, parents are left asking an important question: How do we talk to our kids about it? In this episode of March or Die, Jeremy Stalnecker shares practical and biblical principles for guiding young people through confusing and frightening global events.
Drawing from his experience as a Marine who lived through the wars following 9/11, Jeremy explains why moments of global conflict can become powerful opportunities for parents to teach their children about courage, faith, and moral clarity. Rather than avoiding difficult conversations, parents can use them to help their kids understand fear, the reality of evil in the world, and the responsibility we have to stand for what is right.
This conversation explores how parents can alleviate fear, explain why conflict exists, and demonstrate a faith-filled response when the world seems chaotic. Jeremy also discusses the importance of teaching children the difference between necessary and unnecessary violence, why standing against evil matters, and how faith in God provides stability even in uncertain times. If this episode of March or Die helped your spiritual perspective, be sure to follow the show on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
