As you woke this morning and began your day, did it include a little time to say, "Praise you" and "Thank you" to the Lord? Praising God simply for who he is and thanking him that you woke to see his newly created day? The Psalmist reminds us:
"From the rising of the sun to it's setting the name of the LORD is to be praised."
~PS 113:3 NASB
"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." ~Ps 19:1 NASB
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
~Ps 118:1 NASB
Did you give all of this day to the Lord? Did you invite the Lord into your life, to guard your heart and guide your steps, as you live out the day? Or did you, as so many of us do, simply get started with the busy-ness or even the fun-ness of the day, thinking that there was so much to do, that you had no time now for a "devotional time" and you'd do it later?
In his book, A Pocket Guide to Prayer, Dr. Steve Harper reminds us "God does not call us to have a devotional time but to live a devotional life."
There is much that can be said of what it means to live a devotional life, but in the context of this post, I believe it means prayer is to be ever present in every aspect and at all times of our daily lives.
The Apostle Paul reminds us:
"Pray without ceasing;" ~1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB
Prayer is not meant to be just another thing we do added onto the rest of the things we do in our daily lives... it is not meant to be another item to check off of our daily to-do list... Rather, prayer is to be that which undergirds, infuses and invades all of the other aspects of our daily lives, in both obvious and subtle ways. Prayer, as communication with God, is that which keeps us in contact with our source of strength and joy and wisdom and life, so that we might get through all of each days challenges - challenges that usually exceed our to-do list.
Again Paul reminds us:
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:6-7 NASB
The day is not yet over... we can still give thanks and praise to the Lord for this day... we can yet connect to our source of strength and joy and wisdom and life for the living of this day.
Once again, borrowing from Dr. Harper's A Pocket Guide to Prayer, I offer this simple prayer for you to use as you begin to live your "devotional life":
"Dear God, I rise from my bed of sleep, to adore your holy name, to live for you this day, to work with you in the building of your kingdom, and to find in you eternal life. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen."
Don't wait until tomorrow morning when you are getting out of bed to pray this beginning prayer. Wake up from your "sleep" and do it now!
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