Issue #9 - Strength in the Early Hours
When I was first asked to help lead our church’s weekday morning prayer on Zoom, my initial reaction wasn’t excitement—it was fear. Around that time, Joy’s then-deacon Hyunjae and his family were moving to California, and HJ and I were asked to step in as two of the facilitators, each leading once a week. I am not a morning person and never have been. The thought of waking up that early, with the added responsibility of leading—especially in the presence of our pastors—felt overwhelming. I worried I would oversleep, miss the meeting, or somehow let everyone down.
In the beginning, it honestly felt like something to endure rather than embrace. I set multiple alarms and slept lightly the night before I was scheduled to lead. Even after logging on, there were mornings when I felt tired, distracted, or not particularly “spiritual.” Yet by God’s grace, I kept showing up. Somehow, more than two and a half years later, I’m still here.
Over time, something began to shift. Morning prayer slowly stopped being about whether I was leading well and became more about learning to depend on God at the start of each day. I didn’t suddenly become a morning person, and I still have groggy mornings. But I have learned that I don’t need to come fully energized or perfectly prepared. I can simply come honestly—sometimes weary, sometimes burdened, sometimes grateful—and trust that God meets us there.
One of the greatest gifts has been praying alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ. Lifting up one another’s families, work, health, and daily struggles has reminded me that faith was never meant to be carried alone. There is deep joy in celebrating answered prayers, and quiet perseverance when challenges linger or new ones arise. Through it all, I’ve been reminded that prayer is less about immediate results and more about learning trust—about placing what we care about into God’s hands again and again.
This year, walking through The Bible Recap together has added another layer of meaning. Reading Scriptures daily and then gathering to pray has helped me see the larger story of God’s faithfulness while also anchoring me in the ordinary details of daily life. Starting the day with God’s Word and prayer—even on mornings when I feel tired—has shaped my faith in steady, unseen ways.
I’ve also come to appreciate how morning prayer quietly strengthens the broader prayer life of our church. Alongside Sunday pre- and post-worship prayers, intercessory prayer, and midweek gatherings, these mornings form a steady rhythm for our community. They are small but meaningful spaces where we learn to carry one another’s burdens, encourage each other, and continually turn our hearts toward Jesus together.
What began as reluctance has become a place of unexpected growth and quiet joy. I’m grateful that God gently stretched me, and even more grateful to walk this journey of prayer and Scripture with this community. If you’re curious, tired, unsure, or simply longing for a place to begin, you’re warmly welcome to join us. There’s no pressure to be anything other than who you are—just come, and we’ll seek the Lord together.
-George