Sunday Entries

by Addison Bevere

Separator Words with God by Addison Bevere

August 20, 2023

The Morning Sacrifice Of Prayer

“O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
In the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”
— Psalm 5:3 ESV

I find it hard to believe that fall is just around the corner. Where has the time gone?

My family and I spent the last couple of weeks in Colorado, preparing for and hosting the Messenger Cup. The Cup is an annual gathering of friends who are committed to making translated discipleship resources available to everyone everywhere. God moved, and we saw the miraculous unfold around and within us.

I’m back in Tennessee now, and it’s a quiet Sunday morning. The sun is just starting to pierce the haze that was left behind by yesterday’s rain. And as I pray for you, Psalm 5 is taking form in my spirit.

If you haven’t already, look at Psalm 5:3 (it’s just north of here). There are three things that I want to highlight in today’s Entry.  

First, God hears your voice in the morning. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s deaf the rest of the day. It does, however, mean that there’s a closeness with God that belongs to the morning—a connectedness that sets a tone for the day.

Second, there is a sacrifice of prayer that is unique to the morning. The phrase “prepare a sacrifice for you” could also be translated as “direct my prayer to you.” When we begin the day, there are many cares and concerns that demand the sacrifice of our attention. We deny them our worship when we direct our thoughts and words toward God.

Third, the morning connection opens our eyes so we can watch and know how God answers our prayers.Later in this psalm, David writes, “Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness . . . make your way straight before me” (v. 8), telling us that the sacrifice of prayer is how we see the day for what it is.

Response

Who is getting your attention in the mornings? Are you scrolling social media and processing messages before even getting out of bed? This week, why not spend the first ten minutes of each day directing your affection to God? Your morning sacrifice will position you to see things you otherwise couldn’t see and follow the leading of the Spirit down the “straight path before” you.

Closing Thoughts

Psalm 5 ends with the promise that God’s favor covers the righteous as a shield. May you live aware, my friend, that your life and prayers are dear to the Father and sheltered within his arms. May you wake with expectation, knowing that you’re living in an answered prayer.

Praying with you,

Addison

Separator Words with God by Addison Bevere

P.S. If you have friends or family who are struggling to connect with God, please send them a copy of Words with God and/or invite them to join us as we explore and embrace prayer as a way of life. They can sign up for these Sunday Entries at wordswithgod.org/entries.


P.P.S. I am praying into how I can better serve people who want to develop a more robust and integrated prayer life. If you have any thoughts, I’d value your words. Just shoot me a message: [email protected]. Until next time!

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Sunday Entries

On most Sundays, I share a few words on prayer as a way of life, words that help us open the conversation so we can see, hear, and experience more of God in our daily lives. I’d love for you to join the conversation.

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The Entries

06.11.23

“I’ve been thinking a lot about circles lately. So much of life is defined by circles—our days, week, months, and years form circles for us to move in and through. We’re constantly reminded that the end of a thing has a way of taking us back to a beginning. It would seem the cosmos announces the Circle as God’s shape of choice…”

06.04.23

“Paul once wrote, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything.” For Paul, who just happened to be in prison when he wrote these words, the most reasonable thing we can do is reject anxiety and hold fast to the Truth that God is always here…”

05.14.23

“When we try to be two places at once, we end up being nowhere, living disengaged from the presence of God, ourself, and those around us. People often ask me, “Addison, why don’t I feel God’s presence?” Without fail, the people who struggle to feel God’s presence are those who struggle to be present…”

Addison Bevere is the COO of Messenger International, a ministry founded by John and Lisa Bevere in 1990 that exists to develop uncompromising followers of Christ who transform our world. Messenger is dedicated to providing people with access to life-transforming messages regardless of their location, language, or financial position.

addison-thumbnail-2021
Addison Bevere

Husband, father, author, poet, speaker & follower of Christ

addison-thumbnail-2021
Addison Bevere

Husband, father, author, poet, speaker & follower of Christ

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