July 8, 2020

 

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 people, 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

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

 

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

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Psalm 5:1-3

 

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

 

 
40-Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Copyright © 2007 Augsburg Books, imprint of Augsburg Fortress.

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