Morning Watch
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The concept of the "Morning Watch" refers to a dedicated time of prayer, meditation, and communion with God during the early hours of the day. This practice is rooted in biblical tradition and is seen as a vital aspect of spiritual discipline and devotion.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of seeking God in the morning is well-documented in Scripture. King David, a man after God's own heart, exemplified this in his psalms. In Psalm 5:3 , David declares, "In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation." This verse highlights the importance of beginning the day with prayer and expectation of God's guidance and presence.

Similarly, Psalm 143:8 states, "Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul." Here, the morning is portrayed as a time to seek God's steadfast love and direction.

Jesus' Example

Jesus Christ Himself set an example of morning devotion. Mark 1:35 records, "Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray." This passage underscores the significance of solitude and focus in morning prayer, as Jesus sought communion with the Father before engaging in His daily ministry.

Historical and Theological Significance

Throughout church history, the Morning Watch has been a cherished practice among believers. The early church fathers and monastic communities emphasized the importance of morning prayers as a means of consecrating the day to God. This practice aligns with the biblical principle of offering the "firstfruits" of one's time and attention to the Lord.

Theologically, the Morning Watch is seen as a time to align one's heart and mind with God's will. It is an opportunity to seek His wisdom, strength, and guidance for the day ahead. By prioritizing this time, believers demonstrate their dependence on God and their desire to walk in His ways.

Practical Application

Incorporating the Morning Watch into daily life involves setting aside a specific time each morning for prayer, Bible reading, and reflection. This can be a structured time with a devotional guide or a more spontaneous period of seeking God's presence. The key is consistency and intentionality, allowing this time to shape one's thoughts, attitudes, and actions throughout the day.

The Morning Watch serves as a spiritual anchor, providing believers with the peace and assurance that comes from starting the day in God's presence. It is a practice that fosters spiritual growth, deepens one's relationship with God, and equips believers to face the challenges of life with faith and confidence.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Morning Watch

MORNING WATCH

ash-moreth ha-boker (Exodus 14:24 1 Samuel 11:11); in Judith 12:5 for heothine phulake; compare Sirach 55:6; 1 Maccabees 5:30): The last portion of the night.

See WATCH.

Greek
4404. proi -- early
... early, morning. Adverb from pro; at dawn; by implication, the day-break watch --
early (in the morning), (in the) morning. see GREEK pro. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4404.htm - 6k
Library

Note on the Morning Watch.
... NOTE ON THE MORNING WATCH. By, the ... time.... In India, in China, in Japan, hundreds
of students have agreed to keep the morning watch.... The ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/note on the morning watch.htm

The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience.
... IV. The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience. ... I would fain point out how intimate
and vital the connection between obedience and the morning watch is. ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/iv the morning watch in.htm

Psalm CXXX.
... deceive. "My soul hath trusted in the Lord, from the morning watch even unto
night" (ver.5). This morning watch is the end of night. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxx.htm

PM *Montgomery. Watch for the Morning.
... Watch for the Morning. ... 2 Gaze we meanwhile for the day, Praying in thought while
we gaze; Watch for the morning's first ray; Prayer then be turned into praise! ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/440 p m montgomery watch.htm

De Profundis.
... word is my trust. My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch:
I say, before the morning watch. O Israel, trust in the ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxiii de profundis.htm

Koph.
... [5341]. 146. The Church saith also what followeth, "Mine eyes have prevented the
morning watch, that I might meditate on Thy words" (ver.148). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/koph.htm

The Secret Walk with God (I. ).
... One thing assuredly you can do: you can, if you will, secure a real "Morning
Watch" before your day's work begins. I do not say it is easy. ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter i the secret walk.htm

A Path in the Sea
... And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of
the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a path in the sea.htm

How a Private Man must Begin the Morning with Piety.
... cxxx.6;) and as soon as thou awakest say to him thus: My soul waiteth on thee,
O Lord, more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/how a private man must.htm

June 3 Morning
... JUNE 3 MORNING. Watch, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein
the Son of man cometh."MATT.25:13. Take heed to yourselves ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/june 3 morning.htm

Resources
Why is a day measured from evening to morning in Genesis 1? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Plan B morning-after pill? | GotQuestions.org

What does dayspring mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Morning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Morning

Morning of the Resurrection Day

Morning Prayer

Morning was Frequently Cloudless

Morning Watch

Morning: (Breaking Forth) of the Glory of the Church

Morning: (Clouds In) of the Short Lived Profession of Hypocrites

Morning: (Spread Upon the Mountains) Heavy Calamities

Morning: (Star of) Reward of Saints

Morning: (Star of) the Glory of Christ

Morning: (Wings of) Rapid Movements

Morning: A Red Sky In, a Sign of Bad Weather

Morning: Began With First Dawn

Morning: Continued Until Noon

Morning: First Dawning of, Called the Eyelids of the Morning

Morning: Ordained by God

Morning: The First Part of the Natural Day

Morning: The Jews: Began Their Journeys In

Morning: The Jews: Contracted Covenants In

Morning: The Jews: Devoted a Part of, to Prayer and Praise

Morning: The Jews: Eat But Little In

Morning: The Jews: Gathered the Manna In

Morning: The Jews: Generally Rose Early In

Morning: The Jews: Held Courts of Justice In

Morning: The Jews: Offered a Part of the Daily Sacrifice In

Morning: The Jews: Transacted Business In

Morning: The Jews: Went to the Temple In

Morning: The Outgoings of, Made to Rejoice

Morning: The Second Part of the Day at the Creation

Morning: Ushered in by the Morning Star

Related Terms

Morning's (3 Occurrences)

Morning-watch (2 Occurrences)

Morning-dawn (2 Occurrences)

Morning-star (2 Occurrences)

Morn (8 Occurrences)

Dawning (11 Occurrences)

Daybreak (19 Occurrences)

Dawns (9 Occurrences)

Day-star (2 Occurrences)

Daylight (24 Occurrences)

Dawn (70 Occurrences)

Daystar

Dayspring (2 Occurrences)

Cockcrowing (1 Occurrence)

Sustain (28 Occurrences)

Attacking (73 Occurrences)

Manna (19 Occurrences)

Minute (19 Occurrences)

Murmurings (8 Occurrences)

Poureth (28 Occurrences)

Betimes (17 Occurrences)

Ba'al (55 Occurrences)

Cock-crowing (3 Occurrences)

Causest (25 Occurrences)

Ascending (16 Occurrences)

Arranged (32 Occurrences)

Arrangement (18 Occurrences)

Arrange (19 Occurrences)

Sprout (25 Occurrences)

Song (207 Occurrences)

Continual (55 Occurrences)

Camp (222 Occurrences)

Complaint (29 Occurrences)

Sunrise (25 Occurrences)

Mist (17 Occurrences)

Sabbaths (53 Occurrences)

Murmur (23 Occurrences)

Swept (43 Occurrences)

Dew (35 Occurrences)

Dinner (23 Occurrences)

Stars (64 Occurrences)

Sweep (34 Occurrences)

Shining (115 Occurrences)

Declareth (71 Occurrences)

Provide (74 Occurrences)

Station (78 Occurrences)

Springs (59 Occurrences)

Spent (76 Occurrences)

Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences)

Burned (587 Occurrences)

Morrow (113 Occurrences)

Star (16 Occurrences)

Prepare (199 Occurrences)

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)

Burn (206 Occurrences)

Sixth (45 Occurrences)

Yeast (48 Occurrences)

Year-old (6 Occurrences)

You'll (4 Occurrences)

Yearling-lamb (1 Occurrence)

Quenched (22 Occurrences)

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)

Kin (18 Occurrences)

Kinsman's (1 Occurrence)

Disappears (4 Occurrences)

Daytime (18 Occurrences)

Dread (69 Occurrences)

Drink-offering (33 Occurrences)

Despoil (13 Occurrences)

Melted (33 Occurrences)

Moisten (2 Occurrences)

Morose (2 Occurrences)

Moons (17 Occurrences)

Melt (33 Occurrences)

Meeting-place (10 Occurrences)

Maggots (3 Occurrences)

Man-child (11 Occurrences)

Presenting (16 Occurrences)

Morning was Frequently Cloudless
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