If you’re on social media, you’re probably familiar with the hashtag slogan #MondayMotivation. People typically use this slogan in conjunction with positive messages as a way of counteracting the “Monday blues.” In fact, they could be called the “Sunday blues,” because many people begin to feel anxious, stressed or discouraged late Sunday afternoon or evening.
These negative emotions can be caused by any number of reasons, such as staying up too late over the weekend, eating or drinking too much, procrastinating, or feeling anxious about the responsibilities and tasks awaiting you.
As I surveyed a few articles on the subject, I found several suggestions for beating the Monday blues:
Pin-point the problem (so you can address it)
Prepare for Monday on Friday (by getting organized)
Ignore your work email over the weekend
Say no to debauchery (participate in wholesome weekend activities)
Get enough sleep
Make a list of things you’re excited about
Dress for success (if you dress good, you’ll feel good)
Be positive (e.g. develop an attitude of gratitude)
Make someone else happy (it will make you feel better)
Find a job you love
Have something to look forward to on Monday night
Most of these are helpful suggestions. But one of the most invaluable aids is noticeably absent, and that’s praying — especially praying Scripture.
This is where Matthew Henry’s Method for Prayer can help. It was written to “promote, encourage, and assist God’s people in Biblical prayer.” For years I have received their free daily emails and have been greatly benefitted by them. I pray most confidently when I pray God’s own word to him!
I saved one such prayer in my inbox so that I could splice it with today’s devotional as a key part of your Monday Motivation. May it encourage you and enrich your day!
Pray for Grace to Assist you that you may be Diligent in your Duty
Lord, quicken us to work the works of him who sent us while it is day, because night is coming, wherein no one can work (John 9:4), and what good our hands find to do, enable us to do it with all our might, for there is no work or knowledge in the grave, to which we are going (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Lord, grant that we may never be slothful in zeal, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord (Romans 12:1), steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).
Lord, make us zealously affected in every good work (Gal. 4:18), and in whatever we do, enable us to work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men (Col. 3:23).
Lord, enable us to do the work of every day in its day, as each day requires (Ezra 3:4), making the best use of the time, because the days are evil (Eph. 5:16), that when our Master comes, he may find us so doing (Luke 12:43).
Pray for Grace to Assist you that you may be Cheerful in your Duty
Lord, enable us to rejoice always (1 Thess. 5:16), to rejoice in the Lord always, because he has again said to us, Rejoice (Phil. 4:4), that we may go on our way rejoicing….
Deliver us from that anxiety which weighs down the heart (Prov. 12:25), and let us have that cheerfulness of heart which is like good medicine (Prov. 17:22).
Give us grace to serve you, the LORD our God, with joyfulness and gladness of heart in the abundance of all things (Deut. 28:47) and to sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of our God (Ps. 138:5).
