Reflection
Spending Time in the Word and in Prayer Every Morning
If we set our will to spend time in the Word every morning, we can do it. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Published: 2 June 2026
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:" — Exodus 14:15, KJV
Some saints may find it difficult to spend time in the Word each morning because they must go to school or work very early. I sympathize with these saints, but I do not want to see them die spiritually. Regardless of how early we go to school or work, if we set our will, we will all be able to spend at least ten minutes to read the Word and five minutes to pray each morning in order to spiritually eat and drink. Eating requires more time than drinking. Practicing this faithfully will cause us to be spiritually healthy. It is possible for everyone to do this. To reduce our sleep by fifteen minutes will not hurt us.
No Excuse Before God
Some saints claim that because they were born with a weak disposition, they should not be bound by any legalities. They support this claim by quoting Romans 7:18, which says, "To will is present with me, but to work out the good is not." However, verses 15 through 17 show that this word was written about overcoming indwelling sin, not about taking care of daily life necessities. No caring parent would excuse a child from eating breakfast simply because the child was born with a weak disposition. Nor would any employee tell his boss that he cannot come to work early in the morning because he was born with a weak disposition or that he will wait for inspiration to come to work.
Life forces us all to find a way to do what we need to do. If we can find time to eat breakfast, and if we can arrive at our workplace on time, we should not despise the Lord by saying that we cannot rise early to spend time in the Word and in prayer every morning. If we see that spending time in the Word is truly a life necessity, we will not excuse ourselves from it.
The Will That God Has Given Us
If we set our will to spend time in the Word every morning, we can do it. Where there is a will, there is a way. Every part of our fallen being is condemned by God, but one part is still useful to God, that is, our will. In Mark 1:15 the Lord said, "Repent and believe in the gospel." Repenting and believing are two New Testament commandments. We can fulfill these commandments by using our will. To repent is related not only to the conscience but also to the will. To believe in the Lord Jesus also is a matter of being willing. When we decide to believe, we immediately believe.
In Acts 2:40 Peter said, "Be saved." To be saved also is a commandment. It is God who saves us, but we first must be willing to be saved. God is merciful, but He waits for our willingness. No one is too weak in his will to be saved. We should not think that we are weak and dying. We need to see that God has given us a strong and living will (2 Tim. 1:7).
Therefore, we need to set our will and pray, "Lord, have mercy on me. From tomorrow I will spend ten minutes to eat Your word and five minutes to drink the Spirit every morning."
Extracted from Crucial Principles for the Christian Life and the Church Life, Chapter One: "The Vine and the Word". A fellowship given by Watchman Nee, published by Living Stream Ministry. Used with respect and thanksgiving for a faithful servant of the Lord.