Introducing #TheMorningOfferingChallenge
The buzzer goes off, jarring me out of a pleasant dream. I spring out of bed like a ninja, landing on my toes - a habit that I cultivated in college as a Resident Assistant. Without pausing to think, I snatch the alarm clock off my dresser and press it down. Visions of curling up with my journal in a comfy chair dance in my head, as I pray that the alarm wasn’t too loud.
A crescendoing wail from the other room answers my silent request. My wish for a quiet, prayerful morning denied, I sigh heavily, lift the baby out of the crib and head into the toddler’s room to answer the cries of “Mama! MAMA! MAMAAAA!”
UGH. Morning time.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe you, too, have experienced the disappointment of your best laid plans not coming to fruition in *quite* the way you imagined or hoped they would. Maybe you, too, struggle to begin each day in prayer, even when you really want to. If that’s you, solidarity! I’m right there with you.
Here’s the truth - As much as I know I need to begin the day in prayer and as much as I truly desire that time with God (because I really do!), the idea of waking up earlier and venturing out of my warm bed is pretty much the least enticing, least exciting thing I can think of.
Sometimes I succeed at getting out of bed and offering my day to God; these are the days that go a little bit more smoothly. These are the days where peace fills my heart, even when my day is busy and more than just a little crazy. These are the days when I’m rooted in the Father’s love.
But here’s the thing… prayerful habits, just like any other habit, take time to cultivate. They require an active choice - a decision to begin and commitment to follow through. Both of these things are SO much easier with community and accountability!
So starting tomorrow, for the next 30 days, I and the entire the Live Today Well Team would like to invite you to join us in prayer each morning for #TheMorningOfferingChallenge.
WHAT IS THE MORNING OFFERING CHALLENGE?
#TheMorningOfferingChallenge is a 30 challenge where you commit to beginning each morning in prayer.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
We want you to know firsthand the joys that erupt from your very heart when you #ReclaimYourDayByGivingItAway to God! He alone is truly in control of our days. When we surrender our prayers, hopes, joys, and sufferings to Him each morning, we can rest more fully in His peace and presence throughout the day.
Also, habits take time to form, and they are so much easier and more fun when other people are walking alongside you, cheering you on!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Starting TOMORROW, February 18, for the next four weeks, we will all commit to 30 days of beginning our days in prayer. Whether you choose to pray with our Morning Offering Journal, your rosary, or another spiritual resource, our goal is simply to offer our day to God.
We will also be sending out encouraging emails and mini-challenges to help you transform your mornings. At the beginning of each week, you’ll receive one e-mail with a story from our hearts to yours along with two short, actionable ideas to help you consider how you might more fully surrender your days to God.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
Sign up for our e-mail list by clicking HERE or scrolling to the bottom of this page. That way, you’ll be on the list to receive our weekly challenge e-mails and a few extra goodies ;)
Also, if you’re motivated by having a small visual reminder of your progress like I am, you might find this free tracking sheet helpful. Simply print it and fill in the bubble each day you complete your Morning Offering prayer routine. We created this as a way to help you track your progress, but there is no pressure to use it. And if you do use it, remember ladies, this is about progress - not perfection! As you look back at your progress, we hope you’ll be encouraged by seeing all of the times that you DID make the time to offer the day to God. Whatever you do to glorify our Lord is enough for Him.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
If you see this blog post mid-way through the challenge, I want you to know - it is NOT too late to start! It is never too late to begin your day in prayer. Please feel free to jump right in and join us! <3
Also, sisters, please know - there’s certainly no pressure to purchase The Morning Offering Journal if you already have devotionals or other spiritual tools that you’d prefer to use (there are seriously SO many good ones out there. Believe me, my bookshelf is full of them! :)), but we believe in how transformative our newest journal is, and this challenge is a great opportunity to try it out! I can tell you firsthand that it has completely changed my relationship with God in the best way!
If you decide you’d like to grab a copy, The Morning Offering Journal is available on Amazon Prime.
So, sisters - will you allow us to walk alongside you this next month as we deepen our commitment to surrender our days to God?
Meet Kara Becker
Kara, one of the co-founders of Live Today Well, graduated from Belmont Abbey College with degrees in Elementary Education and Theology. Currently, she lives in the great land of the pines, where she drinks copious amounts of sweet tea and indulges in too much southern comfort food.
Though she comes from a background of parish based ministry and teaching, her most treasured roles are that of wife to her husband Michael and mother to her two kids.
Kara is passionate about living out each day with prayerful intention and stripping away the excess in order to focus on what matters most. You can find her musings at karabecker__.
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