The Blessing of Morning Prayer

The entire day receives order and discipline when it acquires unity. This unity must be sought and found in morning prayer. It is confirmed in work. The morning prayer determines the day. Squandered time of which we are ashamed, temptations to which we succomb, weaknesses and lack of courage in work, disorganization and lack of discipline in our thoughts and in our conversations, all have their origin most often in the neglect of morning prayer.

Order and distribution of our time become more firm where they originate in prayer. Temptations which accompany the working day will be conquered on the basis of the morning break through to God. Decisions, demanded by work, become easier and simpler where they are made not in the fear of men but only in the sight of God. "Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men" (Colossians 3:23). Even mechanical work is done in a more patient way if it arises from the recognition of God and his command. The powers of work take hold, therefore, at the place where we have prayed to God. He wants to give us today the power which we need for our work.

--Dietrich Bonhoeffer Psalms: The Prayerbook of the Bible

Lost

Did you read the story today about the parents who forgot their three year old daughter at the airport? Here's the link for the story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080804/ap_on_re_mi_ea/odd_israel_home_alone;_ylt=AoWvxU5d3EinRfEQISovtLus0NUE

The story reminds me that people don't change, only cultures do. A couple thousand years ago there was an Israeli couple who also lost their child. According to Luke,
"Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind...but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends...After three days they found him in the Temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions."

Imagine the panic in Mary and Joseph? They've been entrusted by God with the Messiah and they lose him! Do we panic when we lose faith, when God feels distant to us? If not, why?