Liturgy For the Morning Alarm

The morning alarm never seems like a moment to be made holy, but rather the opposite. None of us are excited at that loud, early morning buzzer, and are likely lacking from a holy and cheerful mood (at least for me). This is, I think, precisely the right activity then to make holy then and grow us in our sanctification and need for the gospel when we need it most: early in the morning when all we can think about is more sleep and not the Lord.

Morning Alarm Liturgy:

Oh Gracious Father, you spoke and this world came into being. You spoke into the darkness, and changed the darkness into a created order that was good. You set everything in time, and sustain every second of creation. And yet, you are outside of time, for a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past (Ps 90:4).

Sovereign Lord, you were not alarmed by humanity's fall into sin. When given a good thing, we turn it for evil and respond with only wicked thoughts and actions. Our thoughts were futile and our foolish hearts were darkened in our own ways (Rom 1:21). We were dead in the night of our trespasses and sins, carrying out the desires of the body and mind, like the rest of mankind (Eph 2:1-3).

And yet, oh Gracious Father, at the right time you sent your Son to die for our shortcomings. While we were still asleep in our sin, you sent your Son so that our eyes may be opened to see your glory in Christ (Rom 5:8; Col 1:15). Your Son came as light, and the darkness has not overcome Him (John 1:6). He rose triumphantly, so that we may rise in Him (Rom 6:4). Let your Son rise in our hearts, so that through your Spirit we may see the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (Eph 1:18; 2 Cor 4:6). Lord, satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days (Ps 90:14)!