I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your decrees. I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. Yet you are near, Lord, and all your commands are true. Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever. 

—Psalms 119:145-152

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Night Owl and Early Bird Prayers

By Jennifer Kane

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Near to midnight, in the hush of night’s embrace,

I linger in the shadows, let peace cover my face.

The moon whispers secrets, a soft, silver flow,

But then far in the distance, I sense the sun’s glow.

Fleeting, the darkness, the stars take their flight,

A canvas ignites, chasing away night.

I say my last prayer, soft and profound,

Calling to heaven where mercies abound.

With steadfast devotion, I cling to His Word,

My cries rise like incense, by the night winds stirred.

A hush in the morning, the world holds its breath,

As hues of soft orange chase shadows of death.

With the Word on my lips and a heart full of song,

Echoing psalms to the One who is strong.

The sun peeks with kindness, igniting the skies,

Awakening whispers, and dreams that arise.

With each dawn’s light, His nearness I feel,

My cries are heard by Him whose promises heal.

From midnight to morning, His love is my guide,

While hope springs eternal, in His law I abide.

I stay,

awake in the night

and alive in the dawn,

loving You with each breath,

with all my heart,

always.

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Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:145-152

In the stillness of night and the first light of dawn, we encounter moments to draw near to God. Psalm 119:145-152 offers a powerful image of seeking Him wholeheartedly, both in desperation and in devotion.

The psalmist opens this section with a deep, desperate cry: “I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your decrees.” This isn’t a halfhearted petition but an all-encompassing plea. The psalmist yearns for more than deliverance—he desires the grace to obey God’s Word fully. It’s a raw, honest prayer that invites us to examine our own: Do we call out to God with our whole heart, or are we holding back?

Seeking God at all hours—whether in the stillness of midnight or the dawning of a new day—isn’t just about discipline. It’s an act of love and dependence. The psalmist rises early, stays awake late, and meditates on God’s promises. These moments of prayer and reflection align our hearts with God’s truth, bringing clarity amidst uncertainty and strength amidst trials.

Though wickedness may feel near, the psalmist reminds us that God is nearer still. His presence is our anchor, His Word our foundation, and His love our sustenance. These timeless truths echo in the poem above, which captures the rhythm of seeking God through night and morning:

“From midnight to morning, His love is my guide,

While hope springs eternal, in His law I abide.”

In a world filled with distractions, the psalmist’s example invites us to anchor our lives in God’s eternal Word. Reflect on how you can cultivate sacred times for prayer and meditation. Whether you’re a “night owl” or an “early bird,” carve out moments to cry out to God, meditate on His promises, and allow His presence to renew your soul.

Reflect on three ways you’ve experienced God’s nearness recently and write them down. Commit to a specific time each day—whether in the quiet of night or early morning—to cry out to God and meditate on His Word. Start a “God’s Nearness Journal” to document moments when He has sustained, guided, or comforted you.

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Father God, I call out to You with all my heart. You are my hope and my help, my refuge and my strength. Hear my cries and answer me, not because I am deserving, but because of Your steadfast love and mercy. I long to walk in Your ways and obey Your decrees. Revive me, Lord, according to Your Word, and guide me in Your truth.

In the quiet of the night, when fears creep in and troubles seem near, remind me of Your nearness. Let Your promises bring peace to my heart and light to my path. When I rise in the morning, fill my soul with renewed hope and the assurance of Your presence. Teach me to treasure Your Word, allowing it to shape my prayers, my thoughts, and my actions.

Though the wicked may draw near, I know You are nearer still. Your commands are true, Your promises unchanging, and Your love unfailing. In You, I find stability, hope, and joy. Help me to cry out to You with sincerity and trust, knowing You hear me. Let my life reflect the hope and truth found in Your Word.

Thank You for being near to me in every moment, for sustaining me with Your Word, and for loving me with an everlasting love. Let my prayers rise to You like incense, a pleasing aroma of faith and trust. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

November 30 2024