Before the Meetings: A Morning Prayer

Start by noticing who Jesus is in the midst of your day. He's not distant from your meetings—He's present and attentive. You might pray something like: "Jesus, You are the God who knows every heart in every room. You speak with authority and truth, and yet You do it with such gentleness." As the psalmist writes, "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me" (Psalm 138:8, ESV). Sit with that for a moment. The meetings ahead—they concern Him. He cares about how they unfold, about the people you'll meet with, about what gets decided. Spend a few moments simply acknowledging His presence and His care over this day.

Now, bring the things that weigh on you. Maybe you're worried about how you'll come across, or anxious about a difficult conversation. Maybe there's pride creeping in—a desire to be impressive rather than honest. Maybe you're carrying frustration from past meetings into this one. Jesus invites you to lay these down without shame. As He tells us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, ESV). Talk to Him about what's actually true in your heart right now—the worry, the pressure, the hope, even the dread. He already knows; this is simply you being honest with a friend who loves you anyway.

Even before the meetings happen, there's gratitude to offer. Thank Jesus for the people you'll sit with—their different perspectives, their own struggles, even their difficult moments. Thank Him for the opportunity to be present, to listen, to contribute something true. You might pray: "Jesus, thank You for giving me words to speak and ears to hear. Thank You that these meetings matter because You're in them." Notice too if there's something specific to be grateful for—maybe a meeting that went well recently, or a colleague whose kindness surprised you, or simply the fact that you have another day to show up and do your work with integrity. Gratitude shifts us from anxiety to trust.

Now ask for what you actually need. Ask Jesus to calm your mind if it's racing. Ask Him for clarity in your words—not to be perfect, but to be true. Pray for wisdom about what to say and what to listen for. You might say: "Jesus, help me speak with kindness and honesty. Give me ears to truly hear what others are saying, not just wait for my turn to talk. And if things get tense or unclear, help me stay grounded in You." Ask Him too for the people in your meetings—that they'd find clarity, that difficult decisions would move toward what's right, that relationships would be strengthened rather than strained. As Paul reminds us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6, ESV). This is your moment to do exactly that.