Everyday Prayers | The Church of England

Prayers for starting every day with God

Start the day looking for God in your everyday life. Use this prayer in the morning, first thing after waking with a cup of tea, taking time over breakfast, walking to school, waiting for a bus to work or wherever your day is about to take you.

1. Give thanks for a new day

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever.

From Morning Prayer in Common Worship: Daily Prayer. © The Archbishops’ Council 2004. Used with permission.

2. Reflect on God's presence with you

God is with you, wherever you may be and whatever you may choose to do. When might you most need to keep this in mind?

Creator God,
you made us all in your image:
may we discern you in all that we see,
and serve you in all that we do;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

3. Pray that Christ may be revealed

Offer to God the places of your day, the people you will meet, and the ways you will spend your time, that God may be glorified, and Christ revealed, in all you are and all that you do.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Amen.

from St Patrick’s Breastplate

Prayers in the midst of everyday life

Use one or both of these brief "pauses" during the day. Give thanks for the blessings you have received and take a moment to be aware of God in what you are doing.

1. The blessings of life

God is good.
All the time.

All the time.
God is good.

O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You mark out my journeys and my resting place and are acquainted with all my ways.

Amen.

Psalm 139:1-2
Lord of creation,
whose glory is around and within us:
open our eyes to your wonders,
that we may serve you with reverence
and know your peace at our lives' end,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

2. Thankfulness in busyness

Lord, you are ever watchful
and bless us with your gifts;
as you provide for all our needs,
so help us to build only what pleases you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the Lord keeps the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.

Psalm 127:1-2
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you
for all the benefits that you have won for us,
for all the pains and insults
that you have borne for us.

Most merciful redeemer,
friend and brother,
may me know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen.

Evening prayer: God in our every day

Many Christians use a special "examen" (a Latin word for "a means of examining") at the end of the day. An examen has six simple steps:

1. Find a place to be still

Wherever you are, sit comfortably and be still. Relax, but try to be attentive to yourself and to God.

2. Give thanks for the good things of today

Recall one moment that you are grateful for from today. Remember how you felt. Notice these feelings and reflect that all good things come from God. Offer your thanks.

3. Let go of things bothering you

What's on your mind at the moment? What is making you feel awkward or anxious? Raise these things to God and ask for the freedom that comes with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

4. Review your day

Try to recall the other events of the day. Reflect on what has happened and how you feel about it. Trust the Holy Spirit to show you the things that are important to think through and the insights that are important to know.

5. Talk with God

Tell God anything that comes to mind – jot it down, speak it out or think it through. God already knows our needs, this is to help us identify what we need to be aware of, let go or recognize.

6. Finish your prayer

An examen prayer can take a few minutes or a good hour. However long you have been able to give, offer this time to God with a closing prayer.

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.

From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.

O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death.
Amen.

From Common Worship Night Prayer (Compline). Common Worship: Daily Prayer is © The Archbishops’ Council 2004 and published by Church House Publishing. Used with permission.