EARLY MORNING PRAYER

Joshua 8:10 "And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and mustered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai."

Joshua rose up early in the morning, that he might lose no time, and to show how intent his mind was upon his business. Someone said, “Those that desire victory must not love their ease”. For each one of us we have our part to play in order to taste the success and victory that God has in store for us. We have a battle to fight!

God gave Joshua a promise in the beginning of the eighth chapter, Joshua 8;1 ” Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land”. Joshua did not sit with folded hands to taste victory, he had work to do. What a brave commander Joshua was! We see his meticulous planning and concentration to the tiniest of details which brings him victory. Ecclesiastes 7:19 says “Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.”.

Dear Friend, God speaks to those who diligently listen to Him. God speaks to the diligent and not to the indolent! After we meet Christ, our life style must change. I know many youngsters who have never trained themselves to wake up early and wait upon the Lord for instructions during the day. No wonder their lives are messy and untidy. Look what king David says in Psalm 5:3 “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” God helps you to patiently evaluate the events of the day, helps you to be a better organizer when you have to manage your home and office. There would be no “mad rush” or “morning rush”. Remember, we need to learn to balance our life and time management is a skill which cannot be achieved by a lazy person. No wonder families are splitting, homes rocking and children suffering because of lazy moms and dads. When you don’t seek God in the morning, the rest of the day goes crashing: the boss screams at you, your friends misunderstand you, you shabbily perform at the presentation and your performance is below average because you lack the wisdom of God. Joshua was able to lead his huge army without a flaw and squash the enemy because he arose early in the morning, listened to the instructions of God and followed the commandments carefully.

I had disciplined myself to wake up very early for prayer everyday from the initial days of my salvation. Back when my son was an infant and while working for a multinational bank, I still separated precious time for my Lord. All talk and no work reveals our empty heart. Your quiet time with the Lord determines your intimacy with Him. It is this determination and dedication that has now enabled me to teach in Pastor’s Conferences and Bible Colleges about the importance of prayer. Start today!