There is something precious about the morning. Quiet, full of promise that some new hope may be given in the new upcoming day.

An excerpt from “The Psalms: Prayer Book of the Bible” by Bonhoeffer, Dietrich

The Blessing of Morning Prayer

“From the unity it has attained, the whole day takes its order and discipline. This unity must be sought and found in morning prayer and will prove itself in work.

Prayer in the early morning is crucial for the whole day. Wasted time of which we are ashamed, temptations to which we succumb, feebleness and lethargy at work, disorder and indiscipline in our thoughts and in our intercourse with other people—these more often than not have their cause in the neglect of morning prayer.

The ordering and arrangement of our time will be more positive when it is the outcome of prayer. Temptations which the working day brings with it will be conquered if there has been real encounter with God.

Decisions demanded by our work will come more easily and readily when they are made not in the fear of others, but simply before the face of God. ‘And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men’ (Col. 3:23).

Even mechanical tasks will be carried out with greater patience, when they are recognized as tasks laid on us by God. Increased energy for work will be ours when we have asked God to give us today the strength our work requires.”