A Morning Prayer of Thanks for Breath and Body

God of life, I am breathing.
I didn't have to remember to do it.
All night long my lungs kept working,
and my heart kept its steady beat,
and I never once had to ask.

Thank You for this body You made.
For eyes that open to the light.
For hands that can hold a cup.
For feet that find the floor,
slowly or quickly, however they can.

Some parts of me ache this morning.
Some don't work the way I'd like.
I bring those to You too.
But first I want to thank You
for everything that still does.

You breathed life into the first man.
Every breath I take today is Your gift.
Let me spend them well.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this as you first sit up in bed, before your feet touch the floor. Take a slow breath at the start, and let your attention rest on whatever still works. It is a kind prayer for a morning when your body aches, too.

A Verse to Hold On To

"The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." — Job 33:4 (BSB)