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Rise and Shine

 

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” —Psalm 5:3

 

 

Are you a morning person? This Psalm has been called “The Morning Psalm” for its depiction of David rising early and beginning his day in prayer.

It’s something we know Jesus did: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35).

The psalm isn’t as much about a specific hour of day as it is the practice of rising to start your day in the presence of God. In other words, it’s an admonition to put first things first.

As we read the entire passage, we find David praying into all he might encounter through his day—evil, arrogance, deceit. He prays, and reminds himself, that God’s love will abide.

He may encounter enemies. As he prays, he is reassured: God is his refuge.

Notice, David not only lays his requests before God, but he also waits expectantly. God meets David in this first-things-first prayer practice. David rises, prays, and then he’s truly “prayed up” for whatever his day will hold. It’s a formula for success.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” —Kind David, Psalm 143:8

Psalm 5 was inscribed “for the director of music.” In other words, David anticipated people would benefit heading into their days with a song within their heart—a song of being reassured by God’s presence, protection, and provision.

This is what morning prayer accomplishes. Whatever time morning comes for you…rise and shine.

 

My prayer for this week:

Father, today and each day this week, may the pattern of my prayer follow David’s—rising to put first things first. Might I, as David did, begin my day in prayer and wait expectantly for you to move within my heart and with me through my day. Thank you for meeting me here.