Pray First: Prioritizing God in Daily Life

Prayer is something we all struggle with—whether it’s falling asleep, getting distracted, or simply not knowing what to say. Yet, the invitation is clear: God wants to be first in our lives, not an afterthought. The very first words of Scripture, “In the beginning, God,” set the tone for how we are to approach every day and every decision. When God is first, everything else finds its place. The way to put God first is simple but profound: pray first. Before anything else—before the day begins, before a meeting, before a conversation, before a decision—pray first.

Making prayer the priority relationship in life is not just for the spiritually elite; it’s for everyone, whether you’re exploring faith for the first time or have walked with Jesus for years. God will not settle for second place, and when we give Him first place, we discover He is better than we ever imagined. Jesus Himself modeled this, rising early to pray, and taught us to seek first the kingdom of God, promising that all our worries and needs would be met as we do.

To make this practical, two commitments are essential: pray first to start the day, and pray first throughout the day. Starting the day with prayer sets the tone for everything that follows. Even if it’s just three to five minutes, using a simple model like ACTS—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication—can guide us into meaningful conversation with God. For those who want to go deeper, adding Surrender at the end is a powerful way to yield every part of ourselves to God.

But prayer isn’t just a morning ritual; it’s meant to be a continual conversation. Throughout the day, in every situation, we are invited to pray first—before a meeting, before a phone call, before a purchase, before a reaction. This ongoing dialogue keeps us aware of God’s presence and care, reminding us that He is near and that He cares for us deeply. The promise is sure: as we come near to God in prayer, He comes near to us. The nearness of God is available to all who will simply decide to pray first.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God Desires First Place, Not Second God’s very nature demands to be the priority relationship in our lives. He will not settle for being an afterthought or a backup plan. When we put Him first—before our worries, our plans, and our routines—we discover a depth of relationship and blessing that can’t be found any other way. “In the beginning, God” is not just a phrase for Genesis, but a motto for every day. [25:44]
• 2. Prayer is Both a Discipline and a Delight Starting the day with prayer is a decision that often requires overcoming our own resistance—fatigue, distraction, or busyness. Yet, as we build this habit, it transforms our days and our hearts. Even a few minutes spent in focused prayer can shift our perspective, align our priorities, and invite God’s presence into every moment. [30:26]
• 3. A Model for Prayer Brings Clarity and Depth Many struggle with what to say in prayer, but using a model like ACTS—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication—provides a simple yet profound structure. This approach moves us beyond self-centered requests and into a fuller relationship with God, starting with who He is, moving through honest confession, gratitude, and finally, bringing our needs and the needs of others. [36:28]
• 4. Prayer is Meant to be Ongoing, Not Occasional God invites us to pray continually, not just in the morning or in crisis. This means developing a rhythm of “pray first” throughout the day—before decisions, conversations, and challenges. Such a lifestyle keeps us connected to God’s wisdom, strength, and peace, and reminds us that He cares for every detail of our lives. [47:53]
• 5. The Promise of God’s Nearness is for All The most amazing truth is that as we draw near to God in prayer, He draws near to us. This is not reserved for the spiritually mature, but is available to anyone who will simply come. The nearness of God is what every heart longs for, and it is found in the simple act of praying first—in the morning, and all throughout the day. [51:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [20:00] - Honest Confessions About Prayer
• [22:22] - Praying Scripture (and When It Goes Wrong)
• [23:59] - Why Praying First Matters
• [25:44] - God Must Be First
• [27:46] - The Blessing of Making Jesus the Priority
• [29:25] - Jesus’ Example: Praying Early
• [30:26] - The Power of Starting Your Day in Prayer
• [31:45] - Overcoming Challenges to Morning Prayer
• [33:36] - Learning How to Pray: The ACTS Model
• [36:28] - Walking Through ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication
• [41:39] - How ACTS Transforms Your Prayer Life
• [43:20] - Advanced Prayer: Adding Surrender
• [46:18] - Praying First Throughout the Day
• [47:53] - Pray Continually: God’s Will for You
• [51:04] - The Promise: God Draws Near
• [54:02] - Practicing Prayer Together
• [55:12] - Posture and Speaking Your Prayers
• [58:53] - Experiencing the Nearness of God Through Prayer
• [60:13] - Leading the Church in ACTS Prayer
• [63:42] - Supplication: Praying for Needs and Others

1. Genesis 1:1 (ESV)

1. Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

1. According to Genesis 1:1, what is the very first thing the Bible says about God’s place in the world and in our lives?
2. In Matthew 6:33, what does Jesus say should come first in our lives, and what does he promise will happen if we do this? [27:46]
3. The sermon mentioned that prayer is both a discipline and a delight. What are some of the common struggles with prayer that were honestly confessed in the message? [20:00]
4. What is the ACTS model of prayer, and what does each letter stand for? [36:28]

1. Why do you think God wants to be first in our lives, not just an afterthought? How does this relate to the phrase “In the beginning, God”? [23:59]
2. The sermon said that Jesus modeled starting the day with prayer. Why might it be important to begin our day with God, rather than fitting Him in later? [29:25]
3. The ACTS model moves us from focusing on ourselves to focusing on God and others. How might this change the way we experience prayer? [36:28]
4. What does it mean to “pray continually” as described in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and in the sermon? How is this different from just praying in the morning or in emergencies? [47:53]

1. The sermon challenged us to “pray first” before anything else—before the day begins, before a meeting, before a conversation, before a decision. What is one specific area of your life where you usually forget to pray first? How could you remind yourself to include God at the start? [46:18]
2. Many people struggle with distractions, tiredness, or not knowing what to say when they pray. Which of these is most challenging for you, and what is one practical step you could take this week to overcome it? [20:00]
3. The ACTS model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) was suggested as a simple way to guide prayer. Which part of ACTS do you find easiest, and which is hardest? How could you stretch yourself to include all four parts in your prayers this week? [36:28]
4. For those who want to go deeper, the sermon suggested adding “Surrender” at the end of prayer. What would it look like for you to surrender a specific area of your life to God in prayer? [43:20]
5. The message said that God will not settle for second place. Are there routines, worries, or plans that often take first place in your life? What is one thing you could do to put God first this week? [25:44]
6. The promise was made that as we draw near to God in prayer, He draws near to us. Have you ever experienced God’s nearness in prayer? If not, what is one way you could open yourself up to that experience this week? [51:04]
7. The sermon encouraged us to pray out loud and to find a posture for prayer that helps us focus. What is one new way you could try praying this week—maybe out loud, kneeling, standing, or with music in the background? [55:12]