My Morning Routine

Each morning I spend the first minutes of the day with God. This has now become my routine. Like a cup of coffee, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and brushing my teeth, this has become part of my life and part of me.

I rarely miss this time. When it is missed, it is missed greatly.

Today, I will explain what I do. Tomorrow I will attempt to explain why I do this and what it does for me personally.

Each morning, I get up earlier than I need in order to get dressed and get out the door. I do this to have time with God as I begin my day.

The first agenda for the morning is to get a cup of coffee and to offer God a cup of coffee.

I practice the spiritual discipline called “practicing the presence of God.” (At some time in the future, I will write on this more extensively. For me, this is indispensable). God is omni-present. He is Spirit. Practicing the presence of God simply acknowledges the reality of God and His presence among us.

Second, I spend time in prayer. My prayer time has evolved over time. At this point, the first part of prayer is to praise and worship God. Often, I quote Scripture to God, thanking or praising Him as found in Scripture. Recurring passages during this time are Psalm 103 (“Bless the Lord, O my soul”), the Lord’s Prayer, parts of Philippians 4, and Lamentations 3:22-23 (“God’s mercies are new every morning”). This has become my best time of worship. For a further discussion of praying Scripture, please click here.

I also pray for people, decisions, and especially for God to mold me into His image. I deal with my personal failings by confession and repentance.

Third, I spend time in God’s Word. For this year, I am reading through the Bible. I read through the New Testament in July (nine chapters a day for 30 days) and I am now reading through the Old Testament (three chapters each day for 330 days). This is not for everybody, but it is for me at this point in my life.

The important aspect of reading the Bible is simply to let God show you His heart. Reading through the Bible in a year is good but so is taking a verse at a time and meditating on its truth. There is not one right way to do this. I suggest you ask God how you should read and study the Bible for this time in your life.

Recently, I read the words of Paul Washer about the power of God’s Word: “This morning I came to the Word greatly discouraged. I left greatly encouraged.”

This is my experience as I begin my day with God. May God bless you with the same kinds of experiences.

Leave us a brief comment about your time with God.

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9 Responses

  1. Hi Brother Waylon,

    I appreciate your posts very much.

    I am a United Methodist Pastor in Georgia and I am always looking for ways to be more efficient with my time and routines.

    What time of day do your start your day? When and how much exercise do you get? When do you pray with your wife?

    Grace and Peace,
    Pete

    1. Pete, thanks so much for reading and for your comment.
      I start my day routinely between 4:45 and 6:00 AM and spend 30 plus minutes in my time with God. Since I want to begin my day with God, I exercise at night (my weight bench) or late afternoon (running). I rarely miss any days (when I am home) of exercise. Martha and I pray at night.
      You should know that we are empty nesters. That makes a lot of difference in the different times available for our routines (although it really hasn’t changed much over the years).Great questions. Thanks.

  2. Pastor, I start each morning with a devotional with my wife. sometimes we discuss it and other times we just both sit back and reflect personally. It has made a difference to us both, in our relationship, and our walk with Christ Jesus. After getting to work I always read your post (since I have to be at work rather early I have the time as long as its quiet) and then spend more time reading the Bible and additional studies in His word. Thanks so much.

  3. I thank God as soon as I open my eyes for another day. Then I praise him as I get ready for work. At work I listen to BBN on the radio and read your blog. You have hit the nail on the head many times in approaching how and why we do what we do in our christian life. Please, continue on the blessed path that you are being led. Thank you for words to live by, I so appreciate and enjoy reading your blog.
    Violet Adams

  4. Good morning Waylon. I start my day with a cup of coffee and your blog. I have recently started reading Charles Stanley’s “Life Principles Daily Bible…Biblical Principles for Each Day of the Year”. Each day is a portion of the Old Testament, New Testament, parts of Psalms and Proverbs. Readers should be able to finish reading the bible in a year. Dr. Stanley then offers “Life Lessons” as they relate to the scripture of the day and additional commentary. It’s a discipline that I hope I can continue. Some days are easier than others. Some OT readings are really hard to get through! But I always enjoy the NT, commentary and lessons. Thanks again for your blogs – they have become a solid part of my morning routine.

  5. Thank you for the example of seeking God, putting Him First Morning by Morning new Mercies to be seen.

    Your instructions for seeking God remind me of the report of Inigo, otherwise known as Ingatius of Loyola. He reported instructions he received, “taught me like a school boy,” from God. He set down the structure in a booklet called The Spiritual Exercises. He stated, “I gave these Exercises convinced that God desires to communicate directly and personally to the generous person eager to discover God’s will.” The purpose is for such a person to be ready to act responsibly in the world with deliberate choice. Using ones imagination in conversing with God being present is an important element of the exercise.

    The old quote, “Great Minds Think Alike,” may be applied. Inigo has an interesting story as the founder of the Society of Jesus. He lived in the time of the Spanish Inquisition. He was brought up on charges for his revelation of his encounter with God. Interesting how the human condition has remained consistent. John 3:16 – 21 comes to mind.

    Blessings!

  6. Remember Buck Rodgers and the laser beam weapons?

    From AFA news: Laser System Targets Short-range Aerial Threats: Lockheed Martin has demonstrated a portable, ground-based laser system called ADAM in a series of tests against rockets and remotely piloted aircraft, announced the company on Nov. 27. ADAM stands for Area Defense Anti-Munitions system; the 10-kilowatt fiber laser is designed to bring down short-range aerial threats, states the company’s release. Since August, ADAM has successfully engaged an RPA in flight at a range of nearly a mile and has destroyed four small-caliber rockets in simulated flight at a range of about 1.2 miles, according to the release. “Lockheed Martin has applied its expertise as a laser weapon system integrator to provide a practical and affordable defense against serious threats to military forces and installations,” said Paul Shattuck, the company’s director of directed energy systems for strategic and missile defense purposes. ADAM, which incorporates some commercial hardware, has a tracking range of more than three miles and can engage RPA with an external radar cue, according to the company.

    Just a reminder of our changing times. Perhaps as I recall Scripture of the Old Testament, the times are not so much changing as circling.

    Blessings!

    Blessings!

  7. It is nothing super natural or mystical! It is not always special! It is just norma! Like a breath of God’s fresh morning air that has kept me alive for decades! Thank you Jesus!

  8. Coffee with God, thanksgiving in all things, requests for forgiveness of sin followed by true repentance not repetition, Scripture readings, five chapters in Psalms and one in Proverbs start my best days. Great relationship begins anew; God and I go forward from there!

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