“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” - Mark 1:35
Many years ago, a major coffee brand advertised their product with the little musical jingle, “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.” Many can identify with the lyrics to that jingle. Drinking coffee first thing in the morning is a ritual that many practice. I must confess that I am not a coffee drinker. I sipped some coffee when I was younger and decided it wasn't for me.
Although I don't drink coffee, I do have a morning routine. I'm not saying that my daily ritual is any better than any other, it just works for me. You probably have a morning routine. For some, the morning routine is just a frantic effort to get out the door on time.
I believe that the best way to start your day is to begin with the Lord. Every morning, take a few minutes to read from your Bible and pray. You may not be able to spend an hour or two doing this, but you can creatively work this into your schedule.
In our text, Jesus started His day in prayer. He did so very early in the morning … long before daylight. His example has inspired many to get up just a little earlier each morning just for a time in prayer & the Word.
Let's learn about morning prayer from our Lord.
First of all, there was a specific time for prayer. The Bible says, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day.” Although we don't know that this was a daily ritual for Jesus, on this occasion, He did get up before daylight.
I have to confess that I am not a morning person. Getting up in the morning is a challenge for me. Yet I have to admit that the morning hours are the best time for me to read, pray & meditate. I think Jesus got up early so He could have a private word with the Father before others got up. His days were often hectic. People were often coming to Him, seeking His help. If He intended to have a quiet time of prayer, He had to get alone before the crowd came. We need to do the same.
Once the hustle and bustle of daily takes shape, it is difficult to get away and have a private time of prayer. If you're like me, even the lunch break at work can easily be interrupted by others who need you to do something. A designated time before daylight is a great time to set aside to meet with the Lord.
Consider your morning time with the Lord to be an appointment that can't be broken. We tend to prioritize medical appointments, job interviews and social events. Yet our meeting with God is an appointment we need to prioritize above all others.
Secondly, there was a set place. Our text states, “... he went out, and departed into a solitary place.” He chose an isolated location for His place of prayer. For you it may be in the laundry room, bathroom or guest room. Maybe you even have a dedicated prayer closet. The key is to have a solitary place for prayer, free from distractions.
Finally, there was a set purpose. He didn't get away from the crowds so He could play video games or watch a movie. He got to a private place “...and there prayed.” It is easy to get distracted, but we can't afford to allow this to occur. We come to an isolated place in order to meet with the Lord. Anything less robs us of a precious blessing.
The best way to start your day is to meet with the Lord. There is simply no substitute for the sweet communion that comes when we begin the day with the Lord.
Each day is a blessing that I don't deserve. It is a gift from my loving Lord. Each morning, I need to thank Him for this gift and consecrate it for His service.
If you're like me, you have a busy schedule every day. As time passes, more and more demands are placed on our schedule. We can't try to squeeze the Lord into our schedule. He is not to be marginalized like that. He deserves the best of our day, every day. Furthermore, we need Him every day. We need His guidance, wisdom and mercy. We need His grace for the day ahead.
Start your day right by starting with the Lord. Spend time in prayer and reading your Bible.
That's the best way to start the day.
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