One thing my pastor, Eric, taught in a class on how to study the Bible is that we should begin with prayer before reading. On Day 1 of this challenge, I skipped that step and simply plowed into the text. On Day 2, I decided to quiet my heart before opening God’s Word. I asked Him to help me avoid unnecessary distractions and to keep my mind focused on what He had to say.

I can tell you there was a noticeable difference.

My distractions were far fewer, and my concentration was much better. The words seemed to hold my attention longer, and I found it easier to stay engaged with the text instead of chasing every passing thought.

I also learned something else today. I started later than planned because I slept until 5:00 AM. It was not intentional. Looking back, I think the large amount of iced tea I drank the day before contributed to it. I have noticed that caffeine at certain times of the day causes me to sleep more lightly and disrupts my normal wake-up routine. That is a lifestyle adjustment I need to make if I want these morning reading times to be successful.

I began reading at 5:00 AM and continued until 6:00 AM. Since my weekday schedule includes a walk with friends at 6:15 AM, I had to stop before finishing. I made it all the way to Chapter 13, but I was not able to complete the book until after returning from my walk.

Even so, I consider Day 2 a success. The simple act of beginning with prayer seemed to have a real impact on my focus and attentiveness. While I still have plenty of room for improvement, I feel like I took a step forward today.

Goals for Tomorrow

After reading, write down the main ideas and themes I remember without looking back at the text.

Wake up on time.

Focus on understanding the words so that reading becomes more than simply moving my eyes across the page. I want the truth to take root in my mind.