Let’s consider the heart of this prayer-poem by Janae May and unravel its profound meaning. It’s a beautiful truth that our lives, from the first rays of dawn to the last breath of night, are sustained by the unwavering faithfulness of our God. The imagery and themes paint a picture of a God who’s both our protector and our guide, our inner strength and our surrounding shield.

This day—
speak in my ear
that I too may sing,
Your promises true,
shouting praise
to my King,
Rule of my heart,
my rampart and guide,
surrounded without
and filled from inside.
Your presence within,
may I not forget,
as I now step from
this night’s
wrestled bed.

The God Who Speaks and Sustains

The opening plea, “Speak in my ear, that I too may sing,” reminds us of the deep connection between hearing God’s Word and responding in worship. Psalm 119:103 declares, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (BSB). When we begin our day by listening to God’s promises, His truths transform our hearts, enabling us to lift songs of praise and trust.

This cry for God to speak is not a demand for new revelations but a longing for renewed intimacy. It echoes the sentiment of Isaiah 50:4, which says, “The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught” (BSB). What a gift to rise each day with God’s Word guiding our steps!

A Fortress for the Day

The poem moves from the heart’s internal posture to the external reality of God’s protection: “Rule of my heart, my rampart and guide.” Here we see the dual nature of God’s role in our lives. He is not only sovereign over all but also our personal defender. Psalm 18:2 affirms, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (BSB). This assurance of God’s strength inspires us to trust Him even in life’s uncertainties.

The word “rampart” evokes an image of sturdy walls built for defense. Yet this rampart is no impersonal structure; it is God Himself who surrounds His people with steadfast love (Psalm 32:7). Even as we face battles or challenges, we are safe within His care.

Filled and Surrounded by His Presence

“Surrounded without and filled from inside” captures a profound biblical theme: God’s omnipresence and indwelling Spirit. While He surrounds us as our refuge, He also dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised this in John 14:17: “The Spirit of truth… lives with you and will be in you” (BSB). This truth assures us that we are never alone. Whether stepping into a day filled with tasks or trials, we carry within us the very presence of God.

The petition “May I not forget” is a humble acknowledgment of our tendency to lose sight of God’s nearness amid the clamor of life. Deuteronomy 4:9 warns us, “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live” (BSB). Remembering God’s goodness is a discipline that strengthens our faith.

From Night’s Wrestling to Day’s Trust

The closing lines reflect a transition: “As I now step from this night’s wrestled bed.” The night often symbolizes moments of struggle or solitude where fears and doubts arise. Yet, like Jacob wrestling with the angel in Genesis 32, these moments can lead to deeper dependence on God. When we rise from these struggles, we step into the day with renewed confidence in His faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 beautifully ties this together: “Because of the LORD’s loving devotion, we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” (BSB). Each morning offers a fresh opportunity to trust God and walk in His promises.

A Morning Song of Trust

This thoughtful prayer-poem encourages us to begin each day by anchoring ourselves in God’s Word and presence. It reminds us that He is our fortress, our guide, and the indwelling Spirit who equips us for every step. As we step into the day from “night’s wrestled bed,” may we, like the psalmist, proclaim: “I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” (Psalm 104:33, BSB).

Let this be your heart’s desire: to live each day with a song of praise, firmly rooted in the promises of our King.

Inspired by Janae May