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Morning Prayer
another from the pen of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and speaks to the blessings of morning prayer. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MORNING PRAYER The entire day receives order and discipline when it acquires unity. This unity must be sought and found in morning prayer. It is confirmed in work. The morning prayer determines the day. Squandered time of which we are ashamed, temptations to which we succumb, weaknesses and lack of courage in work, disorganization and lack of discipline in our thoughts and in our conversation with other men, all have their origin most often in the neglect of morning prayer. Order and distribution of our time become more firm where they originate in prayer. Temptations that accompany the working day will be conquered on the basis of the morning breakthrough to God. Decisions demanded by work become easier and simpler where they are made not in the fear of men but only in the sight of God. "Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men" (Colossians 3:23). Even mechanical work is done in a more patient way if it arises from the recognition of God and his command. The powers to work take hold, therefore, at the place where we have prayed to God. He wants to give us today the power that we need for our work. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in PSALMS: THE PRAYER BOOK OF THE BIBLE, Augsburg Publishing House, 1970, page 64-65. [AN INVITATION - January 23, 2000 - 7:00pm - THE END, THE BEGINNING OF LIFE: THE PRISON EXPERIENCES OF DIETRICH BONHOEFFER" - Anyone within a reasonable drive of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is invited to a deeply-moving one-act play about the prison experiences of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of our century's most influential theologians. For a photo of actor Michael Shannon and a description of the event, please take a look at < come.] Have a great week, Chip Stam Pastor of Worship and Music Chapel Hill Bible Church Chapel Hill, North Carolina |