We are all familiar with the famous proverb, “The early bird gets the worm.” People’s common wisdom should not be underestimated because, more often than not, it is correct. We are talking not only about the reality of everyday life, but we can also apply this to spiritual life. Our Orthodox Church tradition is replete with examples that invite us to dedicate our early mornings to the Lord, so that our entire day can be blessed. This matters not only for Church services but also for our personal prayer rule.
One of the most striking examples inviting believers to get up early to pray is the Lord Himself, who, as the Gospel records, got up very early and went to pray by Himself (Mark 1:35). Please note that “very early” here refers to the time before dawn, while it was still dark, and not simply 7 or 8 a.m.! The Lord’s example reminds us of the value of offering the first fruits of our mind and heart to God. Although we can pray to the Lord at any time, there is something powerful and important about rising early and starting the day not by opening our emails or thinking about today’s plans, but by dedicating the best of our focus and strength to Him.
Of course, throughout history, various saints have invited us to join the Lord in early morning prayer. Among them is one of the most beloved saints in Christendom, St. John Chrysostom. St. John Chrysostom encouraged nighttime and early morning prayer, addressing not only monks but also laypeople, going so far as to say that if one cannot rise at midnight to pray, one should do so at least at dawn (Homily 36 on the Acts of the Apostles). St. John Chrysostom also insisted that before our minds become occupied with daily tasks, we should turn our thoughts to God, because prayer is a great weapon that we need to face the day (Homily XIV on Hebrews, §9). So, rather than overwhelm the reader with numerous other examples, let us start here and draw some conclusions about our own spiritual lives.
If someone is healthy, has a regular prayer rule, and his or her circumstances allow for rising very early (at least at dawn) to pray, let that person do so, because it can be one of the best times of day for prayer. We can promise ourselves all we want that we will fulfill our prayer rules in the evening, but evening time is often reserved for family, decompressing, and organizing for the next day. Some people manage to fulfill their prayer rule then, but many fail despite promising themselves they would do it in the evening. Whether we consider ourselves morning people or evening people, our prayer life should not be governed solely by personal preference. The Lord wants to see our willingness to make sacrifices and to shape our lives around our love for Him.
When I became a cantor in my church in Čačak, Serbia, my task on Sundays was to be there at 6:30 a.m. to prepare the chanters’ books and the altar for the priests, who would arrive at 7 a.m. Our Sunday Liturgy would start at 8 a.m. sharp, after Matins, which would start around 7:15 a.m.!
I still cherish the memories of that time, when, despite my tiredness, I gave everything to the Lord. This longing for the early morning hours and my meetings with the Lord before dawn, or at least at dawn, never left me. This is a sweetness that one can taste only if one allows oneself to experience it. Some of even our own parishioners drive 45 minutes, sometimes an hour, with children to attend the 8 a.m. liturgy. When the Liturgy was over, even those parents who had put in so much effort were smiling, overjoyed by the grace God had given them after the miles they had driven to be there early for Him.
Our weekend Liturgies at St. Nicholas start at 10 a.m., but we also have 8 a.m. weekday Liturgies. Every now and then, we hear comments that these Liturgies are too early and should be held later in the day. Among those attending are people with small children who have to drive 20 to 45 minutes to get here. Some have even risen earlier to pray at home. So, whether you attend one of our early Liturgies or are accustomed to the 10 a.m. Liturgy, please understand that worship may require some sacrifice. What kind of love do we show if we offer the Lord only what makes us feel comfortable? If we attended to the needs of our spouses and children only when it was convenient, our families would suffer. Yet when it comes to the Lord, we can sometimes put Him on the back burner or expect the Church’s schedule to accommodate every personal preference, rather than allowing the life of the Church to shape our priorities.
All in all, if we are not sick or prevented by genuine responsibilities, and we can give the early hours of the day to our Lord, let us do so. Early morning Liturgy or a morning prayer rule is not the desire of a priest who wants to make life difficult for us. It is part of a long tradition of giving God the first part of our day. If we cannot attend early Liturgies for various reasons, let us acknowledge our circumstances without discouraging others from embracing this practice, and strive to participate as faithfully as we can. We should also examine our priorities when we are ready to get up at dawn for doctors’ appointments, the dentist, or tennis, but complain when we are invited to meet our beloved Lord at an early Liturgy. Let us be watchful of our words and actions here.
To finish with the words of St. John Chrysostom:
“And in short nothing is difficult, when men are willing; as nothing is easy, when they are unwilling; for we are masters of all these things.”
— St. John Chrysostom, Homily V on First Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 4:1–3).