Early Morning Praying

Through the centuries many have found great value in seeking God in the early morning. One of those is the late T. M. Anderson. One January, Dr. Anderson was suddenly awakened at midnight. He felt he should sleep a few more hours, but at that moment Jesus asked if he could remain awake long enough to give Him time to talk with him in the quiet hours of the morning. He reminded him that there is a fast in denying ourselves sleep just as there is a fast in abstaining from food.

For five hours Dr. Anderson waited before the Savior in worship and communion. He later felt no weariness from the loss of sleep.

After that nighttime awakening, Dr. Anderson entered into a covenant of prayer with Jesus. The words of Psalm 5:3 formed a part of his covenant: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord: in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."

Dr. Anderson said, "The hours between midnight and six o'clock in the morning are the most peaceful hours of the entire day...If one has retired at a reasonable time; and the body has rested for a few hours, and the mind has been cleared and relieved of the confusions of the day, then he can prevail with God in prayer, as at no other time. I find the most practical time of the morning is from three o'clock to five.

"In the morning, rising up a great while before day, he [Jesus] went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." (Mark 1:35)

Dear Jesus, teach us to pray when You most want to meet with us. You know our schedules and needs. We are confident that the results of spending the mornings with you will exceed our expectations. Amen.