Day 3

This order and discipline must be sought and found in the morning prayer. It will stand the test at work.

Prayer offered in early morning is decisive for the day. The wasted time we are ashamed of, the temptations we succumb to, the weakness and discouragement in our work, the disorder and lack of discipline in our thinking and in our dealings with other peopleÔÇñ

All these very frequently have their cause in our neglect of morning prayer. The ordering and scheduling of our time will become more secure when it comes from prayer.

Biblical Wisdom

Mark 1:35

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

Questions to Ponder

In what ways might "prayer offered in the morning" be "decisive for the day"?

Do you agree that many of the problems we encounter have "their cause in our neglect of morning prayer"?

Why, or why not?

How can prayer lead to the "ordering and scheduling of our time"?

Psalm Fragment

Psalm 5:1-3

O Lord, hear me as I pray;pay attention to my groaning.…Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,for I pray to no one but you.…Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Journal Reflections

Write about how you usually spend your mornings. What do you do before work or school?

Are you satisfied with the way you spend your mornings? If not, how would you like to spend your mornings?

How is prayer presently a part of your morning? Any changes you would like to make?

Prayer for Today

Lord, show me a time in the morning when I can listen to you for the day ahead and when I can talk to you for the day ahead.