Put on the Armor of God: Prayer during your skincare routine

Did you know that as priests vest for Mass, they pray certain prayers with each garment? Religious orders also use certain prayers as they get dressed in their habits each day. After I discerned out of the convent, this little daily morning routine was one of the things I missed most of all. That’s when it hit me… laywomen can have a set of daily prayers too! 

I have, therefore, put together the Armor of God Morning Routine, for Catholic women who would like to add a little more intentionality to their morning ablutions. The idea is that each short verse would be prayed with during a specific step of your morning routine. They do not need to be prayed in any particular order — this is not liturgy — and can be modified or replaced as you see fit. I would love to hear what prayers are sprinkled throughout your mornings!

1. Face cleansing

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” 

(Psalm 51:10)

2. Exfoliating

“…since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

3. Moisturizing

“…thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.”

(Psalm 107:8-9)

4. Brushing teeth

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

5. Applying sunscreen

“The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.” (Psalm 121:5-6)

6. Glasses, contacts, or eye make-up

“One thing I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after; to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

7. Lipstick

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

8. Earrings and jewelry

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

9. Hair

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)