Becoming Like Jesus: Silence and SolitudeSample

More Beautiful Than the Sunrise

Pray…

Heavenly Father, I am seeking you wholeheartedly. Jesus, I am surrendering to your will and your ways. Holy Spirit, I am listening for your voice and guidance. Make me aware of your presence. I know you are here. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

His glory covered the heavens

and his praise filled the earth.

His splendor was like the sunrise;

rays flashed from his hand,

where his power was hidden. Habakkuk 3:3-4 NIV

Consider…

God is glorious and beautiful, far more splendid than the best sunrise or sunset that you can imagine. To be glorious means to be worthy of praise or admiration. The word “glory” carries with it the connotation of weight—it’s heavy, it’s got substance to it. Only God can handle the weight of our worship. Only He can hold up to all scrutiny and still be completely good, right, and true. That’s what it means for Him to be glorious.

What is the most beautiful thing you can imagine? Bring that image to mind. Now think about the fact that God is somehow far more beautiful than that.

Describe the idea of glory in your own words. What makes God glorious? What makes Him glorious to you?

Write down a few things that you can praise God for today and share that list with someone. It might be a list about who God is, or what He’s done for you, or a combination of things. You never know how encouraging to someone’s faith it may be to hear of the praiseworthy things God has done in your life!

Listen…

Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.

Lead into your listening by finding a comfortable place to sit with your palms open and pray this prayer from St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

Ask God to speak to you.

When you get distracted, come back to Jesus by looking at that list you just wrote. Read it back to God and thank Him for who He is and what He’s done.