Friday, May 22nd 2026
Power for the Day!
“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” – Psalm 17:15.
One of the defining aspects of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ was that He began His day with prayer. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed” (Mark 1:35). Though He was constantly surrounded by crowds and burdened by the demands of ministry, after long days of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debate, these quiet moments alone must have been deeply refreshing and restorative for Him.
But there was even more to it. In those secluded places, Jesus not only found rest, but also communion with the Father. It was a time to pour out His heart before God, meditate in stillness, seek direction for the day ahead, and listen to the Father’s voice. These moments were not a duty but a delight. Conversations with the Father must have been intimate and life-giving, bringing peace, strength, and renewal to His spirit. One does not faithfully return every morning to something burdensome; this must truly have been the most precious part of His day.
Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation, is reputed to have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” His words capture a profound truth: the greater the demands before us, the greater our need for God’s presence and strength.
In much the same way, prayer is spiritual nourishment for life’s journey. There are no rigid rules requiring us to pray at a specific hour, for God is always near and accessible at all times. Yet there is something deeply powerful about choosing to place God first at the start of the day. Like the early traveler preparing for the road ahead, we too need heavenly fuel for the responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities before us.
Prayer for Today
Lord God of Abraham, Maker of heaven and earth, thank You for the joy and privilege of beginning each day in Your presence. Teach me to seek You first, to listen for Your voice, and to draw strength from You for every task ahead. Fill my heart with Your peace, wisdom, and power throughout this day, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
