Modeh Ani - A Traditional Jewish Waking Prayer
		“I am thankful for you, Living and Sustaining Ruler, who returned
		my soul to me with mercy, Your Faithfulness is great.”

Oh Great Commander of the Morning,
	You alone have caused the dawn to know its place (Job 38:12).
	The birds, each in their seasons, greet the suns light with festive songs—
		utter joy that the darkness has not swallowed them whole.
	You have kept watch all the night long (Psalm 121:4, Colossians 1:13-14)
I turn my face to you (1 Chronicles 16:11), like those hopeful dependent creatures.  
	My nature is to be buried deep within the covers of night,
	to not leave the confines of comfort and places of little risk—
		But God.
You have called me to pay attention to the color streaked sky of sunrise.
	To see that with waking, there indeed comes heartbreak.
	But, also great purpose and beautiful possibility.
So, I awake and rise in Your Strength (Romans 6:4),
	acknowledging the cost of living another day engaged and exposed.
	Open to all Your Sovereign Power and Will.

The first few breaths.
Foot falls on the cold floor.
The bathroom.
The water splashed face.
Even the pouring of coffee into a cup—
	is all a gift.

The blessing of Your Presence, God of Life and Breath, 
	is felt in these small ways.  
It is true—when I awake, I am still with you (Psalm 139:18).

As I sit and quietly think on Your Faithfulness to me, 
	how I am not consumed by the sleep that still hangs on my eyes.
	Or the night-like power of sins dark deeds.
The newness of today is a reminder that your love never runs out (Lamentations 3:22-23).
	The earth has rotated and yesterday with all its heavy burdens—
		though they may still be present,
	don’t seem as large right now.
Right here, with You and the birds and Your Word spread out before me,
	there are no fearsome loads to bear.
The day will unfold and there will be much in my purview to take up.
	It is Your Will for us to work and toil for Glory.
	To fill our days with busy hands and quiet hearts (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

But, right now my work is to be filled by Living Water from the Only Rock of Ages 
	(Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, Ephesians 2:20-22).
	To lay every petition and request,
		every thanksgiving and praise—
			before You.
Waiting with all expectancy for Your Word to be as Bread to my wanting spirit (Psalm 5:3).
	Water and Bread and You—Jehovah-jireh.

Yes, Your Provision is complete in my waking.
	I have all I need, 
		filled up, overflowing with The Helper, 
		the Spirit of Life.

No matter how I may feel about today,
	You have given all I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Whatever task given to me,
	remind me whose schedule I am on.
Whatever problem that appears to block peace and joy, 
	remind me who made all things—even hardships.
Whatever surprise of pain or pleasure, 
	remind me whose hand is holding me still.
Whatever ditch I hit or mountain I crest,
	remind me that You give and You take away (Job 1:21).

Blessed be Your Name!

The heaven of morning declares Your Glory and so must I (Psalm 19:1)!
	Even if heartache is close by—
		so are You.
Beloved LORD, even if sickness of body and mind are in the joints and marrow,
	You have said that today is still good.
This day is worthy because You have made it, 
	and You have set me inside its limits (Psalm 118:24).

I will be glad!

I will declare to the bones in my frame and the rocks on the ground
	and into the chests of man kind—
		the God of Creation has brought the dawn
		and I will rejoice (Psalm 30:5)!

Forever Amen to Him who will satisfy us in the days first light (Psalm 90:14),
	and carry us into the life that is to come (Isaiah 46:4).

To Jesus—the Dawn Speaker and Sustainer (Colossians 1:15-20).