by Chris Banescu –
In Life Together, the book that highlights the importance of Christian fellowship and community life centered on Christ, Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us that the beginning of the day belongs to God.
“At the threshold of the new day stands the Lord who made it,” he writes. Bonhoeffer exhorts us to silence all empty talk and distractions when we rise each day and instead let our first thoughts and words be offered to Jesus Christ, “to whom our whole life belongs.”
The Gospels bear witness that Jesus Christ himself started each day with prayer. “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35).
For Christians, the beginning of the day should not be burdened and oppressed with besetting concerns for the day’s work. At the threshold of the new day stands the Lord who made it. All the darkness and distraction of the dreams of night retreat before the clear light of Jesus Christ and His wakening Word. All unrest, all impurity, all care and anxiety flee before Him.
Therefore, at the beginning of the day let all distractions and empty talk be silenced and let the first thought and the first word belong to Him to whom our whole life belongs. “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Eph. 5:14).
With remarkable frequency the Scriptures remind us that the men of God rose early to seek God and carry out His commands, as did Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua (cf. Gen.19.27, 22.3; Ex.9.13, 24.4; Josh.3.1, 6.12, etc.). The Gospel, which never speaks a superfluous word, says of Jesus himself: “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mark 1.35).
Some rise early because of restlessness and worry; the Scriptures call this unprofitable: “It is vain for you to rise early… to eat the bread of sorrows” (Ps.127.2). But there is such a thing as rising early for the love of God. This was the practice of the men of the Bible. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in Life Together
This same wisdom is expressed in the Orthodox Morning Prayers that teach us to seek Christ’s help and blessings at the beginning of each day. These prayers urge us to ask the Lord to enlighten our hearts, illumine our minds, and guide our souls, when we rise up each morning.
Orthodox Morning Prayers
Thou has raised me from bed and sleep, O Lord. Enlighten my mind and heart, and open my lips, that I may praise Thee, O Holy Trinity. Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God. For the sake of the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, oh Lord have mercy on us.
O Christ, the True Light, Who illumines and sanctifies every human being coming into the world: let the light of Thy countenance be turned upon us, that in it we may behold Thy unapproachable Light. Guide our footsteps toward working according to Thy commandments, through the intercessions of Thy most pure Mother, and of all the saints. Amen.
To Thee, O Master Who lovest mankind, I hasten on rising from sleep; by Thy mercy I go forth to do Thy works, and I pray unto Thee: help me at all times, and in all things; deliver me from every evil thing of this world and from the pursuit of the devil; save me and lead me into Thine eternal Kingdom. For Thou are my Creator, Provider and Bestower of every good; wherefore all my hope is in Thee, and to Thee I ascribe glory, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
We bless Thee, O God in the highest and Lord of mercies, Who always works great and mysterious deeds for us, glorious, wonderful and countless. Who provides us with sleep as a rest from our infirmities, and as a repose for our bodies tired by labor. We thank Thee that Thou has not destroyed us in our transgressions, but in Thy love toward mankind, Thou hast raised us up that we might glorify Thy Majesty.
We entreat Thine infinite goodness, enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence. Open our mouths and fill them with Thy praise, that we may unceasingly sing and confess Thee, Who art God glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, the Only-Begotten Son, and the All-Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Grant unto me, my Lord, that with peace in mind I may face all that this new day is to bring. Grant unto me grace to surrender myself completely to Thy holy will. Instruct and prepare me in all things for every hour of this day. Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept them calmly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy holy will.
Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When things unforeseen occur, let me not forget that all comes down from Thee. Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonable toward everyone, that I may not cause confusion and sorrow to anyone.
Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the hardships of the day and to bear my share in all its passing events. Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen.
