Psalm 5:1-3 "Give ear to my words, O Lord.  Consider my meditation; hearken unto the voice of my cry - my King and my God!  For unto Thee will I pray; my voice shalt Thou hear in the morning. O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer, unto Thee and will look up."

The campfire crackled in the early autumn evening.  Faces reflected the shadows and light of the flames; some faces were smiling in joyful praise and some were lifted upwards in intense worship.  Students had returned from the summer break and were gathered early for leadership training.  I had just driven up a day ahead and moved in the dorm the night before most students would arrive.

Joining these upperclassmen made me feel special, as I was new to the Bible school.  I had met a few of them on a summer missions trip and their friendliness and heart for missions influenced me to switch colleges. So here I was.  What would the next year hold for me?

Sitting on a bench near the warmth of the fire, I joined in the songs. I was familiar with some of the typical 1970's  choruses that were popular at Bible camps.  Many of these leaders in training had spent their summer serving at such camps.  Some of us had gone to various communities in northern Canada to experience cross-cultural missions work.  We had made flip-style song books for our kids' club ministries, which included some of those camp songs, as well. 

But this chorus was different.  Taken from Psalm 5, this song was slower in tempo, not a fast-paced action song!  The words were in King James version of the Bible and expressed something deeper that stirred within my soul.  As I listened the first round, I admired the beautiful rich bass voices combining with the soprano and alto parts.  The second time, I joined in tentatively with the melody line.  We had no song books, only the confident voices of students who had sung this chorus many times and so I learned the song by memory.  

That September night in 1985 sealed this song, this prayer, in my heart, and 41 years later I'm still breathing it softly to the Lord.

In the NIV translation, the words don't flow quite so lyrically; but the meaning is clear.  David, the shepherd and king of Israel, wrote many psalms, poems and songs while in the pastures or in caves on the run from enemies!  He addresses God personally, desperately.

"Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament.  Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray." (verses 1 & 2)  

David is experiencing difficult times and His prayers are sad, lonely and direct.  God, my God, please hear me!  In his desperation, David calls on the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God of his forefathers.  He is asking for help!

In Jewish tradition, prayers were offered several times a day: morning (shacharit), afternoon (minchah) and evening (arvith or maariv).  In researching this topic, I found Chabad.org to be helpful.  They attribute the morning prayer to Abraham, the afternoon to Isaac and the evening prayer to Jacob.  These prayer rituals are also connected to the offering of sacrifices at the Tabernacle and later, at the Temple.  Both David and Daniel are known for their faithful prayers three times a day. 

"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly." (verse 3)

It seems to me that David sought the Lord in prayer first thing when he awoke.  Whether in the relative safety of pasture lands, the danger of hiding in caves or the security of his home and castle, David prayed.  He brought his concerns and his needs before the Lord and Him alone.  He lay his requests before the God of Israel and then waited.  He waited with anticipation and hope.  His faith was in God alone to answer and to help.

Psalm 86 begins with similar words.  "Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy...When I am in distress, I call to You, because You answered me." (verses 1 & 7)  David made a habit, a regular custom of praying, not only in the morning, but as a way of life. 

 Psalm 88 opens with this cry: "Lord, You are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to You.  May my prayer come before You; turn Your ear to my cry."  (verses 1 & 2)   This is not written by David, but by one of those assigned to sing and write music for the Hebrews to worship. The words are very similar to David's prayers and sentiments of faith.  Verse 13 is reminiscent of Psalm 5:3 - "But I cry to You for help, LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before You."  First thoughts of the day are of the Lord; Heman the Ezrahite ( of the Sons of Korah) and David have this in common.

If I close my eyes, I can smell the smoke of the campfire, hear the North Saskatchewan River rippling.  I can see the college jackets and 1980's hairstyles of my fellow schoolmates.  And my heart remembers the close fellowship as we worshiped together.

This morning, will you join me in bringing your praise and requests before the Lord?