POWER IN FAMILY MORNING DEVOTION BY Bola Adewara

Morning devotion

Morning devotion within a family setting holds profound significance in nurturing spiritual growth, fostering unity, and establishing a foundation of values and ethics.

It is a dedicated time when family members gather to focus on spiritual teachings, engage in prayer, and reflect on their beliefs and principles.

This practice offers numerous benefits, contributing positively to each member’s personal development and the family’s collective well-being.

Here are some key aspects highlighting the importance of morning devotion in the family:

1. Sets a Positive Tone for the Day
   Starting the day with a focus on spiritual values and reflection can set a positive tone for the day ahead.

   It provides family members with a sense of peace, purpose, and perspective, helping them to navigate the day’s challenges with patience, kindness, and understanding.

2. Fosters Spiritual Growth
   Engaging in morning devotion helps each family member grow spiritually by deepening their understanding of their faith.

   It enhances their relationship with the divine, and cultivating spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and the study of sacred texts.

3. Strengthens Family Bonds
   This shared activity can significantly strengthen the bonds between family members.

   It creates a sense of unity and belonging, offering a time for family members to connect on a deeper level beyond the mundane aspects of daily life.

4. Instills Values in Children
   Morning devotion is particularly beneficial for children, offering a structured way to impart important moral and ethical values.

   Through stories, prayers, and discussions, children learn about virtues such as honesty, compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness, which play a crucial role in their character development.

5. Provides Guidance and Support
   Life is full of challenges and uncertainties. Morning devotion can be a source of guidance and support for family members, offering wisdom from spiritual texts and a time to seek divine help through prayer.

   It can be particularly comforting during difficult times, providing a reminder of the presence and assistance of a higher power.

6. Encourages Discipline and Routine
   The regular practice of morning devotion encourages discipline and the establishment of a healthy routine.

   It teaches family members, especially children, the importance of commitment and prioritising their spiritual life amidst other daily activities.

7. Creates an Opportunity for Learning and Discussion
   Morning devotion can be an educational time for family members to learn about their faith, discuss spiritual concepts, and share personal reflections.

   This open dialogue enhances mutual understanding and respect among family members of different ages and stages of spiritual growth.

8. Cultivates a Sense of Gratitude and Contentment
   Starting the day by acknowledging blessings and expressing gratitude can cultivate a positive mindset, leading to greater contentment and happiness.

   It helps family members recognise the value of what they have and fosters an attitude of appreciation.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MORNING DEVOTION
The Bible, while not explicitly mentioning the term “morning devotion,” emphasises the importance of seeking God and dedicating time to spiritual practices, including prayer, meditation, and the study of Scripture.

These practices can be seen as elements of what many Christians today call “morning devotion” — a dedicated time early in the day to focus on God, seek His guidance, and strengthen their spiritual life.

Several passages highlight the value of seeking God in the morning or setting aside time for spiritual reflection and connection with God.

Seeking God in the Morning:
Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

This verse highlights the practice of coming before God in the morning with prayers and petitions.

Psalm 63:1 expresses a deep thirst for God, “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

Though not limited to the morning, this verse conveys the attitude of earnestly seeking God, which can be applied to morning devotion.

Jesus’ Example:
Mark 1:35 provides a direct example of Jesus Himself seeking solitude to pray in the early morning, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

This demonstrates Jesus’ practice of dedicating time to communicate with the Father, serving as a model for Christians to follow.

These scriptures and examples form a biblical basis for morning devotion, showing its significance in fostering a deeper relationship with God.

The morning can be a particularly effective time for devotion as it sets a spiritual tone for the rest of the day, allowing believers to align their thoughts, actions, and attitudes with God’s will from the start.