Morning Devotion: Embracing a New Day in Faith
At the start of a new day, Christians follow a series of rituals and speak special words aimed primarily at spiritual preparation and giving thanks to the Creator for the gift of another day of life. The answer is based on several sources, presented in quotations.Firstly, as stated in one of the sources, the early hours are seen as a time of renewal, when "starting each of our days, let us first think about putting our spiritual garment in order. Let us also ensure that we make time for this and that nothing and no one disturbs us in this responsible and important task" (source: link txt). This statement underlines that morning for Christians is not only a transition between sleep and wakefulness but also an opportunity to improve one’s inner state.Next, Metropolitan Philarret of Moscow gives specific advice: "upon getting out of bed, immediately read a few brief prayers to sanctify the day. For this could very well be the last day of our life on earth—and like a last day, it must be spent flawlessly and energetically before the eyes of the Lord. One must immediately mark oneself with the sign of the cross, kiss the crucifix worn on the body, and offer praise to God—for the gift of another day of life" (source: link txt). Here it is evident that the first words and actions after waking should be directed at sanctifying the entire day, with the sign of the cross and short prayers being crucial elements of this ritual.Special attention is given to invoking the name of the Holy Trinity. One author writes: "She wishes that our first word upon awakening be the invocation of the name of the All-Holy, Life-Giving Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that our first action be to triple make the sign of the Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord" (source: link txt). These words emphasize that the start of the day must be inseparably linked with hope in God, sanctifying oneself in the name of the Holy Trinity, and repeatedly making the sign of the cross.Also, an important place is given to the act of prayer itself, which is often accompanied by gratitude for the gift of life. According to another source, "following the holy fathers, the morning prayers begin with words of thanks for the gift of life and continue with thanks for all the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us" (source: link txt). This shows that the primary mindset upon waking is not so much about making requests as it is about a deep sense of gratitude and acknowledgment of God’s grace.Finally, there are practical instructions on exactly how the morning prayer practice should be carried out. One source describes the order: "First, upon getting out of bed, one makes the sign of the cross; then stands silently for a moment until the body has calmed from sleep. Next, while standing in prayer, one recites: 'God will have mercy on me, a sinner' and makes the sign of the cross three times" (source: link txt). This shows that the sequence of actions (making the sign of the cross, a brief pause, the prayer proclaiming God’s mercy, and repeatedly making the sign of the cross) is very important for establishing a connection with God right from the start of the day.To sum up, the morning rituals for Christians include the following:• Immediate awakening of the soul through prayer and giving thanks to the Creator for the gift of life.• Making the sign of the cross three times, symbolizing protection and the renewal of the spirit.• Invoking the name of the Holy Trinity as the first word upon awakening and establishing a spiritual connection with God.• Sequential recitation of prayers that often repeat words of thanks and petitions for mercy, helping one to set the tone for a day filled with God’s blessing.These morning words and rituals not only mark the beginning of the day but also help believers remember divine love and mercy, and reinforce their faith even before the day's activities begin.