Prayer at Dawn
As the alarm sounded at seven this morning, I clung to the last few moments of warmth and cosiness in bed with my two little ones. Our conversation, initiated by my eight-year-old, was about prayer.
“Mummy, can we pray in the morning, afternoon and night time”? Then followed instantaneously with “What is dawn”?
If my eight-year-old is already contemplating the regular, fixed times she wishes to pray (at dawn, morning, afternoon and night), I should have my prayer rhythm well established at nearly fifty years old, right? Unfortunately, the busier my life gets, the less likely I am to set myself routines and stick to them. Prayer becomes something I do at the bedtime routine or hurried as I drive to work, thinking of a hundred other things. But, we are created for a loving relationship with our Creator that is renewed and strengthened in prayer.
For centuries the monastic communities’ rule of life sets prayer as a priority whilst living lives full of work, study, caring and service. A bell would punctuate the day, and it would be time for prayer. I wish someone could ring a bell for me!!!
But what does a life characterised by prayer look like? And why can’t I apply that to my life?
Saint Paul knew this aspect of the human predicament well. “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7v18).
I have found this acronym that you might find helpful. It’s a ‘rich’ Rhythm: rich in the sense that you can remember it by the letters R, I, C, and H; rich in the sense that its adaptable and can be filled out with any number of other resources and rich in the sense that it may be a way of enriching your days at a time when life may feel challenging.
Here’s how it works
Morning READ: read the bible and take time in God’s Word.
Lunch INTERCEDE: for your local community, church and world.
Dinner CONNECT: connect with a family member or friend you haven’t seen that day to hear their news and needs.
Bed HOPE: rest your soul in a time of thankfulness for today and faith for tomorrow.
I pray for those who feel they have lost touch with you. May they find daily opportunities to connect and strengthen their relationship with you, our Creator. Amen
Written by Kirsten Davidson, Fundraiser for Swindon Youth for Christ