For many of us, mornings are not our best time of the day. We wake up and the upcoming day's obligations can overwhelm us, tempting us to go back in bed and not even start.
Yet, it doesn't have to be like this.
Many of the saints would begin the day, not dreading it, but embracing the many challenges it would bring and offering them to God. They recognized the sufferings they would endure, but instead of letting troubles affect them, they lifted them up to God, achieving a sense of freedom they wouldn't normally have.
St. Therese of Lisieux was one of those saints who began each day with a heartfelt morning offering. This was in part due to her membership in the Apostleship of Prayer (now known as the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network), an organization that stresses the need to offer all of your thoughts, words, and deeds to God, for the intention of the Holy Father. It is a way to unite yourself to the Heart of Jesus, and participate in his mission of mercy.
She composed her own prayer, one that clearly displays the deep love she had for God and can inspire us as we start our day, seeing our lives in a broader context.
If you are feeling uninspired as you wake up in the morning, consider praying this prayer by St. Therese of Lisieux.
