Starting and ending the day well

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. (Psalm 65:8)

Most of us have more structure in the middle of our days, normally because of work duties, which helps us in being disciplined and making good choices. But, for many Christians, the times either first thing in the morning or later in the evening can go one of two ways:

1.  They can be wonderful times with God, recharging and committing our lives to Him, or...
2.  They can be chaotic, temptation-ridden times, where the best of intentions goes out of the window, leaving us feeling guilty, distracted and defeated.

Some Christians struggle to manage to start each day positively. This can look like one or more of the following:

• Feeling anxious or hopeless about the day ahead;
• Launching into the day’s challenges without pausing to commit them to God;
• Trusting in their own abilities, rather than asking God to give them all that they need.

Other Christians struggle more with the hour or two before bedtime, when their duties are complete, their bodies are tired, and the troubles of the day have left their emotions unsettled. They can be tempted to turn to self-pity, pornography, alcohol, overeating or a catalogue of other unhealthy and ungodly behaviours.

Many find both these times – early mornings and bedtimes – to have their challenges. TFT now has a popular Night Prayers Zoom meeting at 9.30pm each weekday evening to help us turn to God and be reminded of His goodness at this vulnerable time of the day. The two boxes alongside this article contain some tips from Christians of different ages and backgrounds of what they have personally found helpful in settling them in the mornings and evenings. 

Thankfully, Jesus calls us to take life just one day at a time. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to ask God only for one day’s bread (Matt 6:11). This perhaps reminds us of how God provided manna daily to the people of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years: He did not let them stockpile His grace to them. Indeed, many of us at TFT have become thankful for our daily weaknesses, which turn us regularly to God to seek his strengthening.

The writer of Lamentations reminds us that God’s mercies are endless and are new every morning (Lam 3:22-24):

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

But it can be hard to keep up the spiritual disciplines that bring us to prayer each day and remind of all that God has done. It might be easier for those who share their accommodation with other Christians – they can encourage one another in pursuing God daily. On the other hand, those who live alone have plenty of opportunities for uninterrupted times of quiet Bible study and prayer... as long as they don’t turn first to their TVs, phones etc.

Whatever our circumstances, it is good for us to reflect on which times of day we are most vulnerable. In response, let us seek to build good habits and disciplines that turn us away from fear and sin and towards our God who gives life: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

This article was originally published in the Spring 2023 edition of the TFT magazine, Ascend. Click the button below to download your copy.