Psalm 5:1-3
Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray. In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.
Last Sunday as I was standing before our congregation, I mentioned the necessity of being in communion with the Lord at all times. I started reciting the prayer I was taught as a boy: “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; and if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”
My intention was to get us off the idea of only praying at bedtime, so spontaneously I said we should also pray in the morning: “Now I wake to face the day, I pray, dear Lord, You guide my way.” I went on to encourage us to not just pray morning and night, but to go through the day in conversational prayer with the Lord.
Today our daughter called and commented on that morning prayer. She asked me to give her the complete prayer. Oops! I did not have a complete prayer since it was made up on the fly. Since then I have thought of another line, so here is what it may sound like: “Now I wake to face the day, I pray, dear Lord, You guide my way; And as I walk with You this day and do Your will, I know that You are always with me still.”
The same idea remains as I shared on Sunday. We need to be in touch with the Lord during our activities of the day. The blessed Holy Spirit is always with us and, as we face the challenges of the day, it is great to breathe a silent plea or praise for His presence. It encourages us and delights the Lord as we invite Him into our daily activities.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil