Daybreak: Starting Your Day With Christ

NEW YEAR
A Pastoral Word

There is something of a new hope in a New Year. God made it to be that to us, wanting us to see the new year as an opportunity to a brand new timespan, alive with promise and possibility.

The New Year Broken open like a gift.
Surprising our hearts with His provision.
Broken open like an egg,
with life bursting forth as simply
and brightly as a yellow chick.
Broken open like the sky,
with shafts of light splitting dewdrops
into rainbows of promise.

This New Year there are new worlds to be won through the newness that happens when we walk on the way with Jesus every day, His way—in prayer, in the Word, and in faithful response to His words to us.

This suggested devotional pattern is taken from my book, Daybreak, and is offered with the hope that as you begin a new year of spiritual possibilities, you will experience measurable progress along the daily pathway of prayer.

NEW FAITH At Prayer Daily

“Daybreak,” opening your day with Christ, can become the occasion of life’s greatest rendezvous—the regular meetingtime between you and your Creator. Eden is recovered, as the redeemed one and his Redeemer fellowship again where the living waters flow. Daybreak is potentially life’s greatest planning time—the entry of a finite soul into the chartroom of the infinite God. In His presence we can receive wisdom for planning this one day to fit perfectly into His master plan for all our days.

Here is an overview—a pattern/pathway for opening your day with Jesus for experiencing the brightness of His kind of Daybreak.

I. Thanksgiving and Praise

Begin by presenting yourself—your whole being to Him (Mark 12:30).
A. Every day there is a new reason to do so (Psalm 100:4; 118:24).
B. Present your body in worship to Him (Romans 12:1; Psalm 63:3-4).
C. Sing a new song unto the Lord (Psalm 96:1-2; Colossians 3:16).
D. Allow Holy Spirit—assisted praise (Jude 20; 1 Corinthians 14:15).

II. Confession and Cleansing

Next, present your heart—diligently seeking purity (Proverbs 4:23).
A. Invite the Lord to search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24).
B. Recognize the danger of deception (Jeremiah 17:9; 1 John 1:6-10).
C. Set a monitor on your mouth and heart (Psalm 19:14; 49:3).
D. Keep His purposes and goal in view (Psalm 90:12; Philippians 3:13-14).

III. Order and Obedience

Then, present your day—submitting to His ways and rule (1Peter 5:6-11).
A. Surrender your day to God (Psalm 37:4-5; 31:14-15; Deuteronomy 33:25).
B. Indicate your dependence upon Him (Proverbs 3:5-7; Psalm 131:1-3).
C. Request specific direction for today (Psalm 24:4-5; Isaiah 30:21).
D. Obey Jesus’ explicit instructions (Matthew 6:9-13; 7:7-8).

IV. Family and Church

Present your “circle of touch.”
A. Name your immediate family daily (Job 1:5)
B. Open to your larger family (Isaiah 58:7).
C. Remember The Father’s family (Ephesians 3:14-19).
D. Include “the solitary” (Psalm 68:5-6).

V. Geographical intercession

Present “the realm of your reach.”
A. Ask for the nations to be redeemed (Psalm 2:8).
B. Pray for those “extended” from us (Philippians 1:3-6).
C. Do warfare for evangelistic breakthrough (Ephesians 6:18-19).
D. Intercede for national leaders and peace (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

For a more in-depth study of how to walk with Christ every day, see
Dr. Hayford's book Our Daily Walk

"Brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He consecrated for us..." Hebrews 10:19-20

Jack Hayford Ministries 14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233
(800) 776-8180 * FAX: (818) 779-8411

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Last updated on: 7/09/03