A Prayer to Be Inspired by Awe Around the World
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
"The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy." - Psalm 65:8, NIV
Listen or Read Below:
Every day, our entire planet is packed with wonders that should leave us breathless and in awe of the God who made it all!
Awe is a powerful emotion. It’s that feeling of reverence and wonder you get when you stand before something so vast, so beautiful, or so magnificent that it makes you feel small in the best possible way. You can feel awe from anything that connects you with a sense of God’s greatness. Maybe it’s being overwhelmed by seeing lots of bright stars shining in the night sky, which brings God’s glory to mind. Perhaps it’s hearing a piece of music that’s so moving it sweeps you up in gratitude for God’s creativity. It could be hiking in a forest full of towering trees that remind you of God’s powerful strength. This feeling of awe is meant to be our daily experience, because God’s wonders are on display every morning and every evening.
The problem is that in the busyness of our daily lives, we can rush past them without noticing. We miss out on awe when our lives shrink down only to the level of our to-do lists.
God invites us to rediscover awe. He wants us to explore creation. For some, this might involve taking trips to natural wonders, like hiking through the ancient redwood forests of California, seeing the northern lights dance in Iceland, or hearing the thunder of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia. If you have opportunities to take trips like these, take them! Go and let your soul be inspired by your experiences in nature and what you learn about the Creator from creation.
But you don’t need a passport or a big bank account to explore God's wonders. The whole earth is filled with them, which means they’re right where you are, too. You can find awe on an inexpensive weekend day trip. Drive to a nearby state park and walk a trail you’ve never been on before. Pack a lunch and go to the shore of a lake or ocean, and just watch the waves. Look closely at the stunning beauty of a flower or the complex colony of an anthill.
Beyond nature, you can find God’s wonder every day in the beautiful diversity of the people he created. So, explore the many wonderful cultures in this world. Go to a museum and stand in awe of the art and artifacts from a civilization halfway around the world. Be brave and try a new ethnic restaurant in your area. As you taste the flavors of Thailand, Ethiopia, or Peru, you’re experiencing the inspiring creativity that God has woven into the fabric of humanity. Every person of every culture is a wonder that reflects something about the Heavenly Father who made us all.
When we seek out awe-inspiring experiences, our own problems begin to shrink in comparison to God’s greatness. Our focus expands from our own limited world to God’s infinite one. Then, as Psalm 65:8 promises, this awe calls forth “songs of joy” from our hearts. Awe leads to worship. When we connect with God’s greatness, it fills our souls with joy that can’t be manufactured or bought, and we’re naturally inspired to worship God.
So, let’s ask God to help us discover the awe-inspiring experiences that are waiting for us all around the world!
Let’s Pray:
Dear God,
Your Word says the whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders. Forgive me for rushing through my days, so focused on my own to-do lists and worries that I fail to see the daily miracles you place all around me. Please wake me up to your wonderful work around me. Give me the curiosity and motivation to explore the world you’ve created. Whether I’m traveling far from home or just visiting a local park, let me see your signature on all of creation. Renew a spirit of awe in me.
Let me be captivated by the wonderful design of nature and the wonderful diversity of the people you’ve made. When I experience this awe, turn it into a song of joy in my heart. Let my wonder lead me to worship. May I respond to your inspiration with gratitude and praise for who you are and all you have done. I look forward to feeling awe and celebrating with you every morning and every evening I live.
Thank you! Amen.
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum!
Photo Credit: @Getty Images/Oleh_Slobodeniuk
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