Christian Living: What Does God Want You to Say First When You Wake Up Tomorrow?
God wants your first words to be a declaration of trust and gratitude. By speaking praise or surrender, like "Thank You" or "I trust You", before checking your phone, you align your heart with His new mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23) and invite His guidance for the day.
The alarm goes off at 5:00 AM. For many of us in Memphis or waking up across the globe with our Boundless community, that moment is a battlefield. Before your feet even hit the floor, the world is already shouting for your attention. The "ping" of a notification, the weight of the to-do list, or the sudden rush of yesterday’s anxieties can flood your mind before you’ve even rubbed the sleep from your eyes.
But there is a better way. There is a "First Fruits" principle for our words, just as there is for our finances and our time. What you say first tomorrow morning won't just reflect your mood; it will set the trajectory of your entire day.
The Power of the "First Voice"
The first voice you listen to each morning determines the frequency of your heart. If the first voice you hear is the news, you may start the day in fear. If the first voice is social media, you may start in comparison. But if the first voice you hear is the Spirit of God, and the first words you speak are directed toward Him, you start in power.
In the Assemblies of God tradition, we believe in the active, present power of the Holy Spirit. We believe that God isn't just a historical figure but a living Helper who wants to walk through your Tuesday afternoon just as much as your Sunday morning. That walk begins with your first breath and your first sentence.
Giving God the "first words" is an act of Sanctification.
Definition Block: Sanctification Sanctification is the ongoing process of being set apart for God’s purposes and being made more like Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. It begins at salvation and continues throughout a believer's life as we surrender our daily habits, thoughts, and words to Him.
What Scripture Says About Your Morning
The Bible doesn't suggest a morning routine; it models one. The psalmists and prophets knew that the early hours held a specific kind of spiritual currency.
1. Expectation (Psalm 5:3)
"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Notice the order. Before the requests are granted, the voice is heard. David didn't wait to see how the day went before deciding to praise God. He laid his requests like a sacrifice on an altar and then waited expectantly. When you speak to God first, you aren't just talking to the ceiling; you are setting a spiritual watch. You are saying, "God, I’m looking for You today."
2. Guidance (Psalm 143:8)
"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 entrust my life."
This is a prayer of total dependence. In the 901 area, we know what it’s like to navigate busy streets and complex decisions. Whether you are heading to a job in Cordova or logging on from a different time zone, asking God to "show the way" before you look at a map (or a calendar) acknowledges that He is the true Navigator.
3. New Mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23)
"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."
Yesterday might have been a disaster. You might have failed, lost your temper, or missed the mark. But the "First Words" principle reminds us that God’s mercies don't have an expiration date from yesterday. They are fresh-pressed every single morning.
5 Powerful "First Words" to Pray Tomorrow
You don't need a 30-minute theological dissertation at 5:01 AM. You just need a heart that is turned toward the Father. Here are five simple, life-changing phrases you can say the moment you wake up:
Phrase | Biblical Root | The Impact |
"Thank You, Lord." | 1 Thessalonians 5:18 | Shifts your brain from "scarcity" to "abundance" immediately. |
"I choose You today." | Joshua 24:15 | A declaration of loyalty that shuts out the enemy's influence. |
"Holy Spirit, lead me." | Galatians 5:25 | Invites the Third Person of the Trinity to direct your steps and conversations. |
"I trust Your plan." | Proverbs 3:5-6 | Relinquishes the need to control every outcome, reducing morning anxiety. |
"Show me the way." | Psalm 143:8 | Opens your spiritual eyes to see opportunities to serve others. |
The "I Choose You" Prayer
One of the most powerful things you can do is make a conscious choice. We often think of faith as a one-time decision, but it is a daily rhythm. As our Pastor often says, surrendering to God is like presenting a pen to Him, giving Him the right to write the story of your day.
When you say, "God, today, I choose You," you are making a move in the Spirit. You are stating that your identity isn't found in your job title, your bank account, or your struggles, but in the fact that you belong to the King.
Why This Matters for Your Mental Health
We live in an age of "Early Morning Cortisol." Science tells us that our stress hormones are often at their highest right when we wake up. If we immediately feed that stress with the "outrage" of the news or the "demands" of our email, we are training our bodies to live in a state of fight-or-flight.
By choosing "First Words" of peace and gratitude, you are literally calming your nervous system. More importantly, you are anchoring your soul. When you anchor your soul in the "unfailing love" mentioned in Psalm 143, the storms of the workday might still blow, but they won't capsize you.
Practical Tips for Your Daily Faith Launch
If you want to transform your mornings, try the "Phone-Free First 15."
Keep the phone in another room (or at least out of arm's reach).
Speak your first words to God while you are still under the covers.
Drink a glass of water and read one chapter of the Bible (try the Psalms or the Gospels).
Listen. Spend two minutes in silence, asking the Holy Spirit if there is someone He wants you to encourage today.
Whether you are part of our local family at First Assembly Memphis or you are connecting with us through Boundless Online Church, we believe this one habit can change your life. God is waiting to hear your voice. He isn't looking for a "perfect" prayer; He's looking for a "present" heart.
Tomorrow is a New Mercy
You don't have to wait for a New Year to have a new start. You just have to wait for tomorrow's sunrise. When your eyes open, remember: the Creator of the universe is listening. He has new mercies packaged just for you. He has a path laid out for your feet. And He is ready to walk it with you.
What will your first words be?
We'd love to connect with you. Visit www.boundlessonlinechurch.org to join our community from anywhere, or if you're in the Memphis area, find us at www.famemphis.org.
Phone: 901-213-7341
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