Directing Prayer to God in the Morning Light

In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee (Psalm 5:8). David's resolution teaches us how to begin each day with God through deliberate prayer. The term "direct" (prosasso—to arrange toward) indicates fixedness of thought and close application of mind. It speaks to the sincerity of our habitual intention in prayer and the steadiness of our actual regard to God.

We must understand prayer as a daily duty dictated by nature's light, but perfected through Christ's gospel. Wherever God finds a praying heart, He will be found a prayer-hearing God. His ear remains always open to His people's cry. We have manifold reasons to speak to God daily: we have offended Him and contract guilt continually; we face daily danger and mortality; we are living members of Christ's body and must approve ourselves faithful; we possess something to confess, petition, and praise.

The morning hour holds particular power—then we are fresh and lively, most free from distraction and company. We must speak to God with the freedom we show a beloved friend and the reverence due to our Master. Direct your prayer with deliberation and design, fixing your thought upon Adonai alone. After prayer, look up with an eye of satisfaction and observation, watching what returns God makes to your petitions. Make heart-work of every duty, or you make nothing of it. Let not distance, fear, or other business hinder your saying what you have to say to God.