In the summertime we are able to see the sun dance across the earth for long hours of the day. The most magical thing though, is to see how the Earth responds. Gardens fill with scrumptious delights, the trees begin to sing with life, and fields of color bloom all around us. It’s as though everything sat dormant waiting for the sun’s nourishment so it could become what it was always designed to be.
Just like the earth, we hold great beauty and power within us, but we need the Son – the Son of God – the One who constantly wishes to shine His rays of mercy and love over us. To flourish we must respond, like the trees and flowers, to His rays and allow Him to bring out of us everything we dream of.
St. John Paul the Great once said, “It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you.” The Son of God wishes to banish the darkness and brokenness in our lives, draw beauty forth, and have us be the marvelous designs He created us to be. The most wonderful part of this is we don’t have to do anything special; we need to simply come as we are, be open, and He will be there. So grab some iced tea, a lounge chair, hit “Play” below, and go soak up the marvelous rays of the Son of God.
As in our past DIY Praise & Worship posts, below are three simple steps and a set of songs to jump start your worship.
I recommend setting aside half an hour in order to enter deeply into prayer and receive what the Lord has for you. Turn off the ringer on your phone and get a pen and paper (for Steps 2 & 3).
Step 1:
Begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Recognize that you are in his presence! Begin to praise him. A playlist like the one below may be helpful. Let the songs lead you into speaking out your praise in English or in tongues between songs.
O Come to the Altar by Elevation Worship
So Will I by Hillsong United
What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship
Reckless Love by Cory Asbury
Come As You Are by Crowder
Step 2:
Worship will lead you into contemplation. Sit with the Lord. Allow him to speak to you. Write down what he says to you or what he does in your heart. Writing will help you focus to receive what he has for you.
Step 3:
Respond to what the Lord said or did in Step 2. What will you do with what he has just given you? How can you thank him? Writing down your response will help you to remember it and to act on it.
By Hannah Stroup, Christ the King’s clerical assistant.
