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"We give thanks to you, God. Yes, we give thanks! Your name is near. Your marvelous deeds are declared." Psalm 75:1, CEB

What is your waking routine?

Mine has shifted widely over the years. For a bunch of years (like within the last 15 years) I woke early, dressed, prepared the coffee, stretched and then embarked on a morning run. Then sitting on my patio with a fresh cup of coffee, a Bible, a study book, and a journal. More recently I've skipped the run : )

Sure, there are other responsibilities, those "have to's" like taking the dogs out, feeding them, taking out the trash, showering, making breakfast, etc. But the key practice is about what to do with your own spirit. 

Currently I am reading through the Bible Chronologically and following the Daily Office (an ancient practice of prayer with roots in the Roman Catholic Church). They are simple ways to connect to God regularly and they each provide interesting and amazing insight not only about God and the Church, but also to me, about me.

Our Jewish sisters and brothers have a simple prayer (at least in the Kabbalah tradition) called the Modah Ani (or Modeh Ani for the men). It's purpose is to shape the spirit for the day by focusing on God first thing in the morning. 

Modah Ani literally means, "I thank you." It's a practice of thankfulness, recognizing that all we have is from God and that our trust is in the living God, every day. It continues by recognizing the amazing nature of God and wraps up with a simple request to provide what we need for the day. The prayer can be summed up simply with:

Thank You.

Wow!

Please.

It's not all that different than the Lord's Prayer, really. And maybe that's what Jesus had in mind when he taught it to us.

Starting well is the point. Beginning the morning right can make all the difference in the day.

Instead of focusing on your problems, on the to-do's at work, on the dentist's appointment, maybe start with something bigger, more foundational...

Modeh Ani, I thank you, God. 

That's a great start to any (and every) day! 

Peace ><>

Pastor Chris