Hennie Symington

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre: I will awaken the dawn.  Psalm 57:8

 … for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning … Lamentations 3:22-23

The Scriptures tell us that the first thought and the first word of the day belong to God: “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my request before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3).Sadly, in this age of technology and mobile devices beeping first thing in the morning, and where the distinction between light and dark, day and night can be chosen at will, we have lost something of the heartbeat of prayer times marking the passage of the day. Yet, for Christians the beginning of the day should signal a meeting with the Lord who made it.

As we page through the Scriptures we are struck by the frequency by which the men and women of God rose at the break of day to seek God and to carry out his commands. Let this not remain but a secret yearning or wish; set your mobile device on silent before prayers so that you can re-cultivate the habit of praying before setting foot on the ground. Is that too much too ask?

A prayer for the beginning of the day: O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in the stillness of the morning. Help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are filtered by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without hurting and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. Amen