Early Morning Prayer

[cavell]

Rising up a great while before day, He went out.....and prayed.
Mark 1 v 35

Wesley asked this very cogent question of his preachers. "why are we not more holy?" and he added, "Chiefly because we are enthusiasts, looking for the end without the means"

You will bear in mind that Wesley's great doctrine, next to justification by faith, was sanctification by faith. He says "Which of you rises at four in the morning in the summer?"

Well let us make it six, or any other time that might be counted early. Do you rise early? If the way of sanctification is by faith, cannot I be holy and lie in bed in the morning? It is surely easy enough to believe and keep on believing in bed. But every record of God's saints teaches this salutary lesson, that it cost's the discipline of the flesh and the renunciation of physical indulgence to tread the pathway of holiness.

George Muller was greatly influenced by the biography of George Whitefield, who rose at five and read the bible on his knees. When he was growing old his friends said, "You had better cease rising early" but he refused their kindly and gentle admonitions, choosing to rise still at five, even if later he retired to rest.

Hudson Taylor, founder of the 'China Inland Mission' could say that for years the sun had not risen and found him in bed.. I wonder if this is one of the secrets of the great saints of ages past. Gordon of Khartoum, rising early before the duties of the day, entering his small tent, putting up the flag outside to show that he was engaged, and to let the army men know that he was seeking the face of God.

The price of power...... is the way of discipline, and the way of faith.

[Savate]

Thanks for the great post! :thumbsup:

I actually rise at 5am every morning just to get my Bible study on (does that count as prayer?)

"...You will bear in mind that Wesley's great doctrine, next to justification by faith, was sanctification by faith..."

I'm intrigued....could you please define this (and contrast the two)?

[silentpoet]

You may be on to something, but I work at night so I sleep during the day. I don't know if it is so much the time of day as it is the intensity of commitment.

[Sonsservant]

It's funny, but every day almost, I get up between 4 and 6, and the hours until around nine or ten are my most productive. I take a nap usually, but that seems to be the way. I started doing this naturally as I aged. When I was a teenager I slept till noon, and now I just happily get up every morning and do some things. I love my mornings, and the days I miss out on them aren't as nice. Last night I stayed at my Dad's house and my morning was taken up with Dad, and here it is 7 and I never said my prayers or cracked the Book, so it just goes to show that you do your appointed work when you're fresh. I did this when I was working as well, and by 9 am I was bright eyed and ready while everyone else stumbled in drinking coffee.

I don't think waking early is "magic" but it certainly did change my course of direction. Hard to work a good job when you sleep till noon.

[cavell]

Thanks for the great post! :thumbsup:

I actually rise at 5am every morning just to get my Bible study on (does that count as prayer?)

"...You will bear in mind that Wesley's great doctrine, next to justification by faith, was sanctification by faith..."

I'm intrigued....could you please define this (and contrast the two)?


Rising at 5 am whew, yes I am sure those great men who rose early to pray would be reading the book also.

Re Justification and Sanctification. Big bible subjects indeed, but simplified in our daily lives.

Justified....A preacher said "just as if I'd" never sinned. The word embraces the mighty work of the cross. Salvation is such a work of grace. "Not of works lest some boast"

Sanctification is a further step along the Chistian road. The word means to be "set apart" Having been justified freely by His grace, we move on to be set apart for his service.

Wesley challenged his disciples, to exhibit a thirst, a desire to "Know Him and the power of His resurrection"

"They who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true"

[Sophia7]

If rising before dawn is required for holiness, then I guess I'm in trouble. ;) For me it works better to pray in the evenings.

[cavell]

If rising before dawn is required for holiness, then I guess I'm in trouble. ;) For me it works better to pray in the evenings.

Don't worry Precious.

We are looking here to the folks who would aspire to lead us. Leadership as we see, involves a discipline of contact with the Almighty.

Early.....Late....MmMm not important.....The important requisite is making contact

[cavell]

You may be on to something, but I work at night so I sleep during the day. I don't know if it is so much the time of day as it is the intensity of commitment.


Yes, I would agree with you dear brother. Commitment is the key to our serving Jesus. It was so vital in the day of Jesus, it was paramount in the day of Wesley, and it remains absolute today.

"Prone to wander......" Indeed we are such mental wanderers. "Faint but pursuing" Amen. Lord make us strong for you in this our day.

[cavell]

Rising up a great while before day, He went out.....and prayed.
Mark 1 v 35

Wesley asked this very cogent question of his preachers. "why are we not more holy?" and he added, "Chiefly because we are enthusiasts, looking for the end without the means"

You will bear in mind that Wesley's great doctrine, next to justification by faith, was sanctification by faith. He says "Which of you rises at four in the morning in the summer?"

Well let us make it six, or any other time that might be counted early. Do you rise early? If the way of sanctification is by faith, cannot I be holy and lie in bed in the morning? It is surely easy enough to believe and keep on believing in bed. But every record of God's saints teaches this salutary lesson, that it cost's the discipline of the flesh and the renunciation of physical indulgence to tread the pathway of holiness.

George Muller was greatly influenced by the biography of George Whitefield, who rose at five and read the bible on his knees. When he was growing old his friends said, "You had better cease rising early" but he refused their kindly and gentle admonitions, choosing to rise still at five, even if later he retired to rest.

Hudson Taylor, founder of the 'China Inland Mission' could say that for years the sun had not risen and found him in bed.. I wonder if this is one of the secrets of the great saints of ages past. Gordon of Khartoum, rising early before the duties of the day, entering his small tent, putting up the flag outside to show that he was engaged, and to let the army men know that he was seeking the face of God.

The price of power...... is the way of discipline, and the way of faith.


I leave for Uganda this weekend, 12th November with a Minister Colleague. Visiting a Pastor Conference in Lira, North Uganda. 400 plus native Pastors are expected.

I pray that we will be a blessing. Much erroneous teaching is around in such places where the scriptures are unavailable.

[Sophia7]

I leave for Uganda this weekend, 12th November with a Minister Colleague. Visiting a Pastor Conference in Lira, North Uganda. 400 plus native Pastors are expected.

I pray that we will be a blessing. Much erroneous teaching is around in such places where the scriptures are unavailable.

May God bless your efforts there. :prayer:

[Morgaine1205]

I leave for Uganda this weekend, 12th November with a Minister Colleague. Visiting a Pastor Conference in Lira, North Uganda. 400 plus native Pastors are expected.

I pray that we will be a blessing. Much erroneous teaching is around in such places where the scriptures are unavailable.
I've added you to my prayer list! May God be with you on your journey!

[cavell]

Thank so much. Appreciate your prayers

God Bless You

[KOGwarrior]

Four years ago, I was at a training seminar, and the teacher shared with us that 'some study' showed that the best times of day to train our spirit/soul and be spiritually sensitive is when we first get up and before going to bed. He shared that what we meditate (or dwell) on just before going to sleep, will "roll around" on our subconscious (or spirit) level.

I read the Bible and spend time in prayer when I first get up, while sitting on the 'thinking stool'. Then I have a one hour commute that is spent mostly in a time of "eyes open" prayer and listening to Christian teaching tapes.

I also find that I sleep better at night, if I spend time reading and praying before laying down.

[cavell]

Thank you for informing us about your prayer life brother. Such sharing is always good, because it helps others also, who may look for be looking for guidence, and direction.

God Bless You

[cavell]

A week or so ago, I was taking a walk through the fields, which brought me to a the side of a very popular lakeside.

200yds from the lake I came across a fellow in the front of a stone cottage, cutting the grass with a pair of shears. I stopped to pass the time of day.

He informed me, that at 98 years of age he had lived in this stone cottage, apart from his Cambridge University years, all of his days. My I said, what a wonderful thing! Facing us was a chapel, now the home of......I enquired if he recalled the days when folks met to worship in that building?

Yes, I do, was his reply. "Wesley was a very great man indeed". "Wesley could write the words of a hymn on the back of an envelope, as the meeting progressed".

My mind staggered......"O that the sacred fire might now begin to glow........Burn up the dross of base desire, and make the mountains flow......." Wow....and such

Such gifting, such inspiration, no wonder England enjoyed the joy of knowing a revival of such.

It can happen again.....for He remains the same....