In the morning O Lord, you hear my voice

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (Psalm 5:1-3)

In the 1840s, a young Christian man found employment in a pawnshop. Although he disliked the work, he did it faithfully "as unto the Lord" while awaiting a better opportunity. To prepare himself for a life of Christian service, he wrote on a scrap of paper the following resolutions: "I do promise God that I will rise early every morning to have a few minutes---not less than five---in private prayer.

I will endeavor to conduct myself as a humble, meek, and zealous follower f Jesus, and by serious witness and warning I will try to lead others to think of the needs of their immortal souls. I hereby vow to read no less than four chapters of God's Word every day. I will cultivate a spirit of self denial and will yield myself a prisoner of love to the Redeemer of the world."

That young man was William Booth, who later led thousands to Christ. The Salvation Army, which he founded, is a monument to his faithfulness in preparing himself each morning to serve the Lord.

If we unlock the gates of each day with prayer, the ensuing hours are more likely to be filled with spiritual usefulness and blessing.

Charlotte Austin McCary's Chapel United Methodist Church