PRAY IN THE MORNING

Victor M. Eskew

 

            Prayer can be defined as simply as “a child talking to his Father.”  Specifically, it is a child of God expressing himself to his heavenly Father.  This privilege ought to be something that every Christian engages in on a regular basis.  The psalmist wrote:  “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:  and he shall hear my voice” (Ps. 55:17).  The prophet Daniel was a man who engaged in prayer on a regular basis.  “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Dan. 6:10).

            A prayer should be lifted up before God’s throne in the early morning hours when one first rises from sleep.  The child of God should eagerly anticipate speaking to God who earnestly desires to hear the voice of His precious child.  Some might wonder:  “What can I say to God in those early morning hours?”  Let’s note some of the things that each of us can express. 

            First, we should begin by “Praising God.”  In His model prayer, Jesus began with praise.  “After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name” (Matt. 6:9).  Yes, God is our Father, but He is also the sovereign ruler over all.  He is majestic, holy, wise, and powerful.  When we appear before Him, we need to honor Him for who He is.  Truly, He is worthy of our praise.

            Second, we should offer up “Petitions of Thanksgiving.”  God blessed us with a good night’s sleep.  He protected us from our adversaries.  Too, He blessed us with the dawning of a beautiful day.  His blessings have been showered upon us even when we were asleep.  He ought, therefore, to hear gratitude pour forth from our lips before we make any requests of Him.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul gives us these instructions.  “In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

            Third, we should ask God for “Protection from Satan.”  Our adversary is always on the prowl like a roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8).  When we arise to a new day, he is set to entice our desires.  Thus, we should ask our heavenly Father to keep us safe from the wiles of the devil.  Jesus put it in these words in what many call “The Lord’s Prayer”:  “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” (Matt. 6:13).

            Fourth, we should ask our Father for our “Provision of Daily Bread.”  “Give us this day our daily bread,” were the words of Jesus in His example prayer.  Notice that we are not asking for anything extravagant.  We only ask the Lord to give us what is needed for today.  This is sufficient because none of us are promised tomorrow.  If we have what we need for today, that is enough.

            Fifth, we should ask the Lord to assist us in “Possessing a Positive Attitude.”  Nothing can ruin a day quicker than negativity.  It we are looking for something to criticize, it can always be found.  That should not be the attituded of the Christian.  He is the child of the King.  He has been redeemed from all iniquity.  He has a hope that extends far beyond this life.  He has God always by his side.  He should always radiate a sense of positivity in his life.  Paul was a positive individual.  His words recorded in Philippians 4:13 are known by many.  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

            Sixth, we should ask the Father to help us be “Preoccupied with Things Above.”  Paul teaches us this in Colossians 3:1-4.  “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”  In the morning, we are about to leave our homes.  We are about to enter into the affairs of the world.  Sometimes it is easy to lose our focus.  Often, we cease thinking about things above and we focus upon the worldly, carnal things of life.  We need God’s help to keep our eyes lifted up off of this world.  Thus, we pray that we can seek the things that are eternal throughout our day.

            Seventh, we should pray for God to help us to have a “Passion for Divine Wisdom.”  Solomon tells us that “wisdom is the principal thing” (Prov. 4:7).  This wisdom stands contrary to the wisdom of the world.  “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty; and base things of the world, and the things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and the things which are not, to bring to nought the things that are” (1 Cor. 1:27-28).  Even though it runs contrary to the wisdom of man, God’s wisdom is what is essential for man.  It is the wisdom will truly makes a difference in one’s life.  It is the wisdom that brings salvation.  To possess it, we must have a passion for it.  We must yearn for it like food and water (Matt. 5:6).  Thus, we pray to hunger and thirst after righteousness.

            Eighth, we should pray for the “Production of Good Works.”  Our engaging in good works is one of the reasons Jesus died (Tit. 2:14).  Paul says that we have been “created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”  Good works take time, talents, and treasure to produce.  Sometimes we do not want to make the sacrifices that are necessary for good works to be manifested in our lives.  Therefore, we pray.  We pray for a willingness to accept every opportunity that comes our way to do good unto others.

            Ninth, we should pray for “Paths to Evangelize.”  The wise man tells us that “he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30).  Our mission as a member of the church should be the same as the mission of our Master, that is, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).  Our eyes need to be open to see lost souls.  Our hearts need to possess the courage to speak to others who need to hear the saving message of the truth.  Men like the Ethiopian eunuch (Acs 8:34-39) and women like Lydia (Acts 9:14-15) are still out there.  We should ask our Father to lead us to them through His wonderful providence.

            Tenth, we should pray for the “Prosperity of Others.”  All of us have relationships with many people:  family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and casual acquaintances.  We care for these individuals.  We want them to be blessed.  We want them to be assisted in their times of need.  We want them to be forgiven of their trespasses.  We want them to be healed from sicknesses and diseases.  We want them to be comforted in their afflictions.  We know God knows them.  Therefore, we bring their names and needs before the throne of God.  We ask God to bring prosperity and blessings into their lives.

            Yes, each of us should begin our day in prayer.  We should have the same resolve as David.  He wrote:  “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Ps. 5:3).  There is so much about which we can speak to our loving Father as a new day begins.  We hope we have given you some things that you can take to your Father each morning before you are actively involved in the affairs of your life.