The two brachos (blessings) before reciting the prayer of the Shema prayer prepare us for "Hashem Echad" (G-d is One). We try to awaken the strength of the Forefathers who taught us how to do Hashem's will with all that we have. Every drop of energy poured into the prayer "Ahavas Olam" (Eternal Love) has a tremendous spiritual effect on our entire day. A gentile can be involved in smallness and think he is great. We need to pray to Hashem that He is the one ruling over our lives, not the yetzer hara (evil inclination).