Watch

'O Lord , in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. '

Psalm 5:3 ESV


God doesn't just want the fag end of our days as it were, a hasty prayer at the end of the day by our bedside. He deserves the first-fruits of our time. The Lord should be our first thought in the morning.

King David was a busy man no doubt, running the nation of Israel. Nevertheless, the Lord heard his voice in the morning. It seems his practice was to pray 'out loud'. We don't have to just pray 'in our heads'.

No doubt it was a sacrifice for David to give up the first hour or so of his days to the Lord. Yet he knew it was worth it. He started his days out right, by consulting with the One who orders our time.

Prayer isn't just about presenting a 'shopping list' of requests to God. He isn't a divine slot machine. We're to devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, as the Apostle Paul put it.

'O Lord, may we offer you the first-fruits of our days. May we be watchful for how you would answer us as we call upon you. For we ask these things in Jesus' name, amen'.


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