The custom of offering the day to God was also lived by the first Christians: "As soon as they awake, before they face the busyness of life again, before they conceive in their hearts any impression, before they even remember to take care of their family interests, they consecrate to the Lord the birth and beginning of their thoughts "
St. Paul exhorted the first Christians to offer their whole day to God. He recommended to the first Christians of Corinth: Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. And to the Colossians: And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him
Many good Christians have the acquired habit of directing their first thought to God. And then the "heroic minute", which is a good help to do well the offering of works and to begin the day well. "Without hesitation: a supernatural thought and.... Up! -The heroic minute: there you have a mortification that strengthens your will and does not weaken your nature. " "If, with God's help, you overcome, you will have much ahead for the rest of the day.
"It is so demoralizing to feel defeated in the first skirmish!"
Although it is not necessary to adapt to a concrete formula, it is convenient to have a habitual way of doing this practice of piety, so useful for the whole day to go well. Some recite a simple prayer learned as children... or as adults. This prayer to Our Lady, which serves both as an offering of works and as a daily personal consecration to Our Lady, is well known: O my Lady, O my Mother, I offer myself entirely to you, and in proof of my filial affection, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my heart; in a word, my whole being. Since I am all yours, O Mother of goodness, keep me and defend me as your own thing and possession. Amen.
Apart from the offering of works, each one will see what he/she deems opportune to add to his/her prayers when getting up: some more prayers to Our Lady, to St. Joseph, to the Guardian Angel. It is also an opportune moment to recall the resolutions of struggle that were made concrete in the examination of conscience of the previous day, renewing the desire and asking God for the grace to fulfill them.
Lord, almighty God, you have brought us to the beginning of this day: save us today by your power, so that we may not fall into any sin; but that our words, thoughts and actions may follow the path of your commands