Strategy 1: Make That Connection
The Meiri (to Nedarim 49b) says: “Even though a person is judged on Rosh Hashana regarding his livelihood (as well as his very life) he should pray every single day without fail for his livelihood.”
Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was asked why Hashem only gave manna for each day. If He was already sending manna, why not give enough for the whole year? Because, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai answered, no one would ever talk to Hashem. If someone has all his needs taken care of, he is never going to reach out to Hashem. That is why the manna came every day and not at once. It prods us to make the connection.
Make that connection to the Master of the World! And make i every day!
In fact, there are four places where we can make that connection just in morning prayers alone. They are propitious moments – opportunities – that appear every day.
The first is in the verse … Posayach Es Yadecha, You open Your hand …, which is part of Ashrei. This is so important that if it is not said with proper conecntration it has to be repeated.
The second place is in Bareich aleinu (in the ninth blessing of the Shmoneh Esrei), which is the blessing for livelihood. However, not only should you be praying for yourself but you should also be praying for others, because if you have others in mind your prayers will be answered first (see Bava Kamma 92a).
The third place may surprise some of you. In the Artscroll Siddur (and in most siddurim today) under the blessing Shema koleinu (in the sixteenth blessing of the Shemoneh Esrei), there is a beautiful personal prayer for livelihood. Be sure to say it at least once a day.
The fourth place is also found in most siddurim today: After Aleinu there are additional prayers. Among them is a special prayer for livelihood. I try to never miss it.
Excerpt from “Perspectives of the Maggid.”