The lives of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Lilias Trotter are a great inspiration for me. Both spent much time in prayer. Here are quotes from each.
The morning prayer determines the day.
Squandered time of which we are ashamed, temptations to which we succumb, weakness and lack of courage in work, disorganization and lack of discipline in our thoughts and in our conversation with others, all have their own origin most often in the neglect of morning prayer. Order and distribution of our time become more firm where they originate in prayer. Temptations which 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” (Col. 3:23). *
The things that are impossible with men are possible with God. May it not be that the human impossibility is just the very thing that sets His Hand free?–& that it is the things which are possible for us to do that He is in a measure to let alone. **
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6: 14-18
This is a practice that I want to embrace. Let me start each day with the Lord!
*Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Psalms: Prayer Book of the Bible, Augsburg Fortress: Minneapolis, MN. 1970
** Miriam Rockness, A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lilias Trotter, Discovery House Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI. 2003
Linking with Us Coffee & Jesus, Seasons, Literacy Musing Monday, Sue’s Wordless Wednesday, Weekend Whispers, Word of God Speak, Grace & Truth, Thought Provoking Thursday and Whole Hearted Wednesday
Beautiful quotes, scripture and pictures! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
“Squandered time”. A great way to word it as we don’t use the word too frequently nowadays. But that is so it – wasted. Praying to use my time wisely each day so as to maximize all that He would have me to do. Grateful to have stopped here this morning. Have a blessed week!
Thanks for the reminder! I love Jesus’ example of starting His own day out with prayer. Thanks for sharing at the #LMMLinkup.
Beautiful reminders! Thanks for sharing with the #LMMLinkup!
Hello Carol – your photo with the daffodils are stunning, and many thanks for showing it on SEASONS this week. Enjoy the rest of this week, and hope to see you there again between Sunday-Wed.:):)
Life and decisions become so much easier when we do everything as unto God, instead of unto men! Because I see you now on FB I don’t always think about alerting you to SEASONS,
but please link your photo before it closes Wed. 7 pm Pacific time! When they see your beautiful daffodils they are bound to also read the text of your post (even though they may not comment:):) )
Powerful thoughts, beautiful photos.
Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-many-faces-of-louie.html.
Have a wonderful week!
These are outstanding models of prayer and very good reminders to focus on. Thanks for this guidepost. Happy to be visiting as your neighbor at the Linkup at Growing Through God’s Word.
Terrific words of wisdom! May I too gain the discipline of beginning each and every morning in prayer! Blessings!
Those are great quotes, Carol. I believe so much in starting the day with prayer…what a difference it makes. And, “…the human impossibility is just the very thing that sets His Hand free?…” Love that. Thanks so much for sharing, Carol. Nice to meet you! ((sweet blessings))
Brenda, Thanks for visiting. I am enjoying the biography of Lilias Trotter–her work in Algiers was amazing.