After a restless night, you may wake up feeling anxious and overwhelmed with what the day holds. It happens to all of us because this Satan-controlled world is not our friend and, in fact, delights in our suffering. However, because we are in the care and custody of God, He offers us hope and comfort when we need it.
When morning comes and you need comfort and encouragement, claim this prayer before you are faced with any distractions: “Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails… Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul” (Psalm 143:7, 8 NIV1984). Make this your daily morning prayer.
King David wrote this psalm when he was in deep anguish from being constantly hunted by his enemies. You can sense his desperation. “O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief” (Psalm 143:1). In verse 4, he continues, relating to how he feels. “My spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.” He needed a reminder of God’s “…unfailing love” (Psalm 6:4).
God’s love is unconditional, unchanging, constant, inexhaustible and faithful. It is an act of undeserved grace to us. It is hard to imagine that type of love. We may, with God’s help, love unconditionally, meaning we accept a person the way she is, flaws and all, but “unfailing love” is not one of our natural attributes. We love — if we are loved in return. We love — if we are not betrayed. We love — if a person meets our expectations. How thankful we are that God is not like that! His love is not based on external circumstances. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
When we commit this verse to memory and believe it wholeheartedly, our day will start out better. Realizing the extent of God’s perfect love helps us to trust Him in all circumstances. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23). What encouragement! Paul made this statement: “…If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
This early morning prayer will remind you of God’s “unfailing love,” and give you confidence that no matter what you may be going through, He is there for you. No one will ever love you like He does. When negative or fearful thoughts begin to enter your mind, as they surely will, stop and refocus. Claim God’s promises. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6, 7). You will never be free of problems as “…your enemy the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). But you can trust God. He will never fail you!
God’s love endures forever and “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39). How encouraging!
Read the psalmist’s words: “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your (unfailing) love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul” (Psalm 94:18, 19). His promises are true!
