Why So Early?

“This is the fittest time for connecting with God. An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. While the dew is on the grass, let grace drop upon the soul.”

- Spurgeon

Have you ever woken up early, like 5 or 6 AM because you had to catch a flight or walk your dog? I always thought it was interesting to see how many people are awake and alive THAT early?!

I see people waiting for the bus to go to school. I see people, many people, especially in San Diego, walking their dogs. I see people exercising and running. I see people in their cars going to work.

One thing God was showing me was that people do wake up early to go and do something. Many people utilize the mornings. But, of course, many don’t have a choice because they have to get up and go to work!

As we go through Psalms for the summer, today’s psalm is psalm 5. In verse 3, it says:

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

This doesn’t mean we should only pray in the morning, but there is something about praying in the morning. I always like to think perhaps this Psalmist discovered one of the secrets to spiritual life. A life hack! Just like people would get up early to exercise or beat the traffic or walk their dog before they have to go to work. This spiritual work of praying in the morning has many benefits.

In the morning, the Psalmist would pray, “Listen to my words, LORD… Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.” This morning prayer leads to clarity of direction as verse 8 declares, “Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness… make your way straight before me.”

There is something about praying early in the morning that brings about clarity for the day.

I was meeting with a church member, and he was sharing how he would often wake up around 3 or 4 AM to pray. I replied, “Why so early?” He said, because it was a sweet time to pray. He shared how God would wake him up so that he could pray for the day and pray for people. You know what, he is someone you want to give your prayer requests to, amen?

Friends, maybe this Psalmist knows something we don’t by praying in the morning. Perhaps you can try it this week?

Take 5 to 10 minutes and pray in the morning, “Listen to my words, LORD… 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.” Amen.

Pastor Sean

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