The practice of waking early to seek God's presence is woven into the fabric of God's Word, tracing its roots through the stories of prophets, kings, and ordinary individuals who found solace, guidance, and strength in the morning light. It is a practice that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries, uniting generations of believers in a shared pursuit of spiritual awakening.
In this six-session video Bible study, she delves into the scriptures, uncovers the significance of the morning watch—the time when the world transitions from darkness to light—and Tara explores the transformative power of aligning our first waking thoughts with God. From the Gospels to the Psalms, from the wisdom literature to the historical narratives, the Bible resounds with the call to seek God early, to set the tone of our day with prayer, and to surrender the unfolding hours to His presence.
To those who scoff at the idea of being morning people, she extends an invitation: embrace the challenge, not as a forced routine but as an opportunity for communion. The dawn holds a promise—a promise of self-discovery, of spiritual awakening, and of encountering the extraordinary in the ordinary act of rising early for morning prayer.
Tara Beth Leach is a pastor, preacher of the Word, and a writer. She is the senior pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, IL. She previously served as senior pastor of First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena (“PazNaz”) in Southern California. She is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University and Northern Theological Seminary. She is the author of Emboldened, Radiant Church, and Forty Days on Being a Six. Outside of her home church duties, she speaks widely at conferences, retreats, and universities across America on Church Leadership, Women in Ministry, and the call to be a Radiant Witness. Tara Beth has two rambunctious sons and has been married to Jeff since 2006.