Sleeper Awake
I gratefully thank You, living and existing King, for returning my soul within me with compassion, abundant is Your faithfulness. Prayer Upon Arising (first prayer of the Siddur)
Faithfulness – This prayer is the very first prayer a devout follower of YHWH says when he wakes. It is a rather simple prayer but it has profound implications. In Hebrew it is:
Mo-deh ani le-fa-ne-ka (a woman would say Mo-da ani le-fa-ne-ka)
Melek chai be-ka-yam
She-he-che-zar-ta bee nish-ma-ti be-chem-la
Ra-ba e-mu-na-te-cha
Think about what this implies. First, we greet the day with gratitude and thanksgiving. What is a day that does not begin with a recognition that life has once more been granted to us? Furthermore, that fact that we wake means that God has purpose for us here – this very day. We have not yet fulfilled the design He intended with our existence. There is more to do, and He has trusted us to do it. We owe life to Him because He has given life to us.
Secondly, the prayer boldly states the YHWH is the living and existing King. A living King is presently ruling over His kingdom. This reminds us that God is at this moment of waking, fully in charge of His creation. But why add “existing” King? Some translations offer “eternal” for the word kayam, but I believe the word “existing” is deeper. We have learned that Hebrew views existence in terms of function, so declaring YHWH to be the existing King is to declare that His function is royal dominion. He doesn’t just hold the title “king.” He is what it means to be king. He is the definition of “king” and He exists in His role as king. Of course, that also implies that we are His subjects. The relationship is crucial. The separation is what makes Him God and us human.
Thirdly, notice that God returns my nishma. “Soul” isn’t quite right. Nishma is the very breath that makes me alive. It is the embodiment of what we call “person.” The prayer implies that God actively reinstates my being each morning. Of course, that’s not how we in the West think about waking up, but maybe we just don’t get it. If the world is God’s world, then the reason we wake is because God wants us to wake and that means He has a need for us to be here. Thus, awaking is a sign of compassion, but not simply compassion for me. God is compassionate about His purposes for the earth and every time I wake, I am asked, indeed, I am commanded, to engage in His compassion. I am here to manifest that compassion He shows me when I once more open my eyes.
Finally, there is the word emunatecha. Emunah is the Hebrew word for “faithfulness.” It is also the word for “truth.” It is from ‘aman, the verb meaning “to be firm, to support, to nurture, to establish.” When we wake, we realize that God is reliable. His creation is reliable since it reflects Him. His word is reliable since it is a manifestation of His character. We realize that everything rests on Him. His faithfulness to His purposes, purposes that this day include us, is great; greater than any other force in His universe; great enough to bring to consciousness once more His majesty.
Maybe this is a morning prayer worth repeating.
Topical Index: awake, prayer, emunatecha, Siddur, nishma, kayam
A good morning to all. I’m up bright and early this a.m. and looking forward to this gift of another day of life. As I have said on my Facebook page- one of my favorite activities is breathing in and out. -So many of us are unaware of our breaths and of our heartbeats.
I am ‘awake and aware’ to both of these. Maybe the mechanical aortic valve on top of my heart beating like a metronome is the reminder and gives new meaning to “with every beat of my heart.” G-d, in His goodness provided (only) the number one ranked Allergist in the nation to work with me on my breathing. Here are the words he said to me: (I remember them). “If you do as I say, -I can help you.”
My response to him? -“I had another (Great) Physician say the same thing.” True story.
I became a follower of the Way. He gave life unto me, I give mine back unto Him. Every morning-every day, and every moment of every day- life is a gift- and my breaths are because He lives. Because He lives, I live. We serve a living Savior- the King of kings, LORD of lords, and G-d of gods. In Him we live and move and ‘have our being.’ (Acts 17.28)
Yes, friends, I have been revived. Revived, renewed, restored – “all of the above.” A new heart for a new start- physically or spiritually? -“yes.” “Both.”
Awake and aware. What is this the ‘name’ for this in Hebrew? The word “kavannah.” To act and to live with intentionality and consciousness. “Bless the LORD, O my soul- and all that is within me..Bless His holy name.” Purposefully, consciously, intentionally- living life (His gift to me) with intentionality- “I will.” I will what? I will give unto Hashem the glory due His name. And -“From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same- the LORD’s name is to be praised.” (Psalm 113.3)
“..for the light is making everything visible. That is why it says, “Wake up, O sleeper! Arise from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5.14)
Bach, the greatest musician of all time, wrote a great peace of music called, “Sleepers Awake.” Listen with an open heart.
Lowell, here is a link for “Sleepers Awake” by JS Bach… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyWOIKCtjiw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4OrJW18ZyQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPVR9rROJxc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xleo0Hpsxvg&feature=related – LISTEN TO THE VOICE/listen to your heart…
Some days I wake up and say, “Good Morning, Lord”. Others, it’s more like “Good Lord, morning!”. 😉
Thank you Skip for this powerful reminder. This was a “gem” for me. Thankfully, there seems to be no end to the “gems” YHWH puts on your heart, and then, you share with us. Thanks again for you faithfulness and willingness to teach us.
Question: Does G-d know our thoughts? Does He hear our prayers if they are said silently?
Silence is no impediment to God.
Thank you for this Skip. I have trained my brain to say this prayer and the Yirat Adonai as soon as I come into consciousness each morning. I find if I don’t immediately focus on Adonai, then all kinds of stupid thoughts come rushing in. I learned it as “eternal King”, but I really like the way you explained “existing King”. That brings fresh insight. I struggle with kingship because I have not experienced it in a practical way. As an American, we just don’t do “kingdoms” real well. We’re so used to a democratic mindset and model that I think it’s hard for us to really understand what it means to live under the rule of any king. I find I have to be very intentional in my thoughts and use historic models (i.e. Elizabeth I) to help me see it more clearly. It is shameful that I disobey my eternal, existing King, but I’d probably never to do that if we had an earthly king ruling in this country. Yes, His abundant faithfulness indeed!
Years ago the Most High gave me the following blessing to speak when I first awaken. It sets me for the day, reminding me of His ability to provide, it speakes to me of Y’shua, and reminds me also of the resurrection, keeping my hope alive. If anyone likes it, feel free to adopt it! It is as follows:
“Magnified are You, Yehovah my Elohim (or you could say Lord my God) King of the universe, Who gives rest to the weary and awakens those who sleep.”
I would really appreciate a word for word translation of the prayer.
Thank-you,
Christina
My first prayer is simple, “Holy Spirit, rule my soul. Uncover, expose, uproot and remove any and every area of darkness in me. Lead me into Your light, the light of truth.”
“Bring Me to Life” Bebo Norman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j9Gh4YQMqw&NR=1
4 MIN audio only, by DreamForever7, NO photos or lyrics except title page 108,463 views
“Wake Me Up Inside” Evanescence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXcdYBh3hgg
4:00 MIN by sNade9999. White lyrics on black screen. 5,466,546 views
Thank you so much for sharing on the morning prayer. I learned of it only six months ago and pray it every morning! I am new to your studies and I am thoroughly enjoying the Word study everyday and I am looking forward to reading your book “Guardian Angel! I am really enjoying the comments from others in your group. Thank you so so much for sharing your knowledge of the Word with us!
Here’s an eye-opener for you!- Brother Lockridge also knows- “My G-d is King!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6wL1IvMuWo&NR=1
and one of my favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wOhVh2bct8
Beginning a day with Scripture such as the Psalms is a constant reminder of YHVH:
Psalm 3:
1 O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah
3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah