RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

It was early in the morning. Several pastors and I were seeking God. We desired to see God move among His people, and we were praying for revival. I must confess that I’m a little embarrassed to share with you what took place early that morning. As the pastors were praying, I fell asleep. As I began to snore, the other pastors began praying, “Oh, Lord, give us peace like you’ve given Brother Sammy!”
I was so embarrassed when they awakened me. There’s something that you probably need to understand. I have a problem early in the mornings. Because of an asthmatic condition, it’s very difficult for me to get my blood flowing and be in top form first thing every day. That makes it hard to have a good quiet time early in the day. Many people who have similar physical limitations will say, “That means we don’t need to pray early each day. It’s better to pray at the end of the day.”
However, I disagree. It’s imperative that we seek God the first thing each day. It’s good to pray at night as well. But if that’s the only time we pray, then the only thing we can do is ask God to forgive us because we will have blown it all during the day. When we pray, we come to God to say that we need Him. We bring our needs to Him and He meets those needs. Thus, we need to begin each day seeking Him.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray in this manner, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11 NIV). Bread is the most basic of human needs. We need food. Without it, we can’t exist. But you can’t ask God for three good meals at 11:00 p.m. That’s not a prayer to be prayed at the end of the day, but rather at the beginning of the day. The implication of what Jesus taught His disciples to pray is to seek Him first thing every day.
But you may have a similar problem as I do. So, you ask, “How then do I pray first thing every day?”
I normally have breakfast, get cleaned up and then go to a quiet spot where I can be alone. I often choose a place where I can walk. I know if I kneel, then I’m going to have a problem with blood circulation and probably become drowsy. So, I walk and talk; walk and listen; walk and pour my heart out to God.
I don’t know what you have to do to begin the day with God, but I would encourage you to find a place and a time early in your daily activities and seek God. Whatever you need to do to prepare yourself for a personal audience with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, then you need to do that. There’s no other thing that you’ll do during the day that’s as important as that.
If you begin with God, you’ll discover that His presence will linger through the remainder of your day. There’s no greater joy than beginning a day with Him. And there’s no greater frustration than starting off your day in the power of the human flesh. So, seek Him early. You won’t regret it.