Recently, I wrote about best practices for 2018. You can see the entire list here. “Play the Movie“ made the list as my number one best practice. You can view it here.

The number two best practice for 2018 is to “Bracket Your Day.“

By bracketing your day I mean beginning that day with God and ending the day with God. Don’t let anything in your life that is not filtered by the presence of God.

This is one of the great needs of our lives. It particularly pertains to me. I need guidance at the very beginning of my day. I find when I immediately begin to think of God and to spend time with Him in Scripture and in prayer my whole day goes better. I’ve often said that when I have spent time with God early in the morning I am ready for whatever may come my way.

By beginning my day with God, I experience the peace of God which is beyond any human comprehension (Philippians 4:6–7). God tells us to fully depend on Him. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus“ (Philippians 4:6–7).

God does not use the phrase “bracket your day”, but He does tell us to seek Him in all things. When we do so by praying about everything, we don’t have to be anxious about anything.

I also want to close my day with God. My desire is that my last waking thought will be with God.

There were times in the past when I felt bad about falling asleep as I pray. Today I see that as a wonderful advantage and not a hindrance at all. What a wonderful experience it is.

What better thing could happen than to drift off to a peaceful sleep while spending time with the God who loves me and desires that I know Him?

[Bracket your day] and experience the blessings of spending time with God.