4 Ways to Make Bible Study a Priority in the Morning

I wonder if Fernando Ortega knew that his phrase, in the morning when I arise give me Jesus, would become the phrase that would impact and inspire so many Christians. It is our hearts desire to meet with Jesus first thing in the morning, yet many people don’t actually make it happen. It sounds nice and flowery, especially when you hear him sing the words. Maybe you don’t know how to make it happen. Maybe you don’t see the need to make  your Bible study a priority in the morning.

The Bible does not command us to spend time in the Word or prayer first thing in the morning. You will not find one verse that says, “thou shalt pray before the sun arises, every single day”. Because of this, no one should feel guilty if they aren’t making their quiet time a priority in the morning. God isn’t going to be angry or disappointed in you if you pray during your kids nap or quiet time.

With that said, that does not mean that we shouldn’t be making spending time in the Word in the morning a priority. Why? Seems like a contradictory statement. Becuase in the Bible you will find many examples of great men who sought the Lord early in the morning. You’ll see that Jesus, David, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Elkanah and Hannah, Hezekiah, and Job all rose up early in the morning to pray and worship the Lord. Therefore, we should be trying to pattern our own lives after their example.

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:15  

Anything that Jesus did is an example that we need to be striving to do in our own lives. 

Okay, so we say in the morning when I arise give me Jesus but then our day starts to spin out of control the moment that we get out bed and before we know if it is already time to put the kids into bed and fall into bed ourselves. Another day has gone by without you getting into the Bible or your prayer time. It sounds good in theory but putting it into practice takes us being intentional about it.

4 Ways to Make Bible Study a Priority in the Morning

1. Make Over Your Mornings

I can not stress this enough, you need to get control over your morning hours if you want to have a successful day. Our mornings make the biggest impact on how our day plays out. If you wake up already behind you’ll feel like you’re never going to get ahead.

This course will teach you how to organize your mornings so that you can use your mornings wisely. Filling up your soul, getting some big priority items done first thing in the morning makes it so much easier to pour out and serve your family.

2. Wake up earlier.

It is true that you make time for the things that you love. If you’re finding that you can’t seem to find the time during the day to have your devotions then you need to make the time. If it is important to you then  you will do what needs to be done.

Start small, wake up 10-15 minutes earlier each day until it becomes easier. You will learn how much time you need. It will also depend on the season you are in. If you have a baby keeping you up half the night then simply waking up 10 minutes earlier may be all you can muster up. You will know what is right for you.

I am not a good sleeper, so this option doesn’t really work for me. But because of Make Over Your Mornings course, I have learned how to use my mornings well even if the kids are awake running around like a bunch of goons. So if you’re not into setting that alarm any earlier, then try day 1 of the course for free to see if it is something you’re interested in! 

3. Created a cozy place to have your quiet time.

We all need incentives, right? Maybe you have a favorite space in your home that you can claim and set it up to be so warm and welcoming in the early hours that you will enjoy spending your time there. Have a comfy chair, a warm soft blanket, pretty flowers or decorations, a candle, your favorite coffee mug and your Bible study supplies handy. Then all you need to do is go from the warm bed to the warm chair.

This is something that I am definitely trying to make happen for myself! Bring your cup of coffee and spend time in the Word in comfort.

4. Make it a habit.

Doing the same thing for 21 days in a row makes it become a habit. I’m sure this is one habit we can all benefit from making. Once it becomes a habit that inner power struggle will stop. Promise.

Knowing your why behind making your quiet time happen in the morning will help you become more disciplined in making it happen. On the days that it seems so difficult to get out of bed, reminding yourself of why you’re doing it will help you get out of bed. Why should we make spending time in the Word and prayer a priority in the morning? Because it sets the atmosphere of our day, we are giving our day over to the Lord for Him to direct, we are crucifying our flesh and choosing to walk in the Spirit. When we meet with Jesus first thing we have the strength to meet the day with a better attitude and we will be more apt to listen the Holy Spirit’s leading throughout the day. We all know that when we aren’t in the Word that our day tends to chaotic and messy, we have a harder keeping our attitude and tongue in check. This is a surefire way to set the tone of your day first thing. With these four ideas, you will be able to have Jesus when you arise. It doesn’t need to be flowery, wishful way of thinking.

In the morning when I arise, give me Jesus.

Your turn! Do you make spending time in the Word a priority in the morning? Do you believe that there is a difference in how your day plays out when  you surrender it to the Lord first thing? What keeps you from having a morning quiet time? Let’s talk in the comments below!

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