Riding the waves of prayer

When I'm sitting on the beach, staring out at the Atlantic Ocean, I can't help but hear prayers of praise echoing in my head along with the crashing waves. The power of the ocean is unsettling and comforting all at once, and for me there is something deeply spiritual about that.

The endless beauty, stretching out to the horizon line is a glimmer of eternity. The soft sand wiped clean of our footprints as the water rushes back to the sea is a reminder of just how fleeting life on this earth really is. The joy on my children's faces as they ride the waves or collect shells in a bucket or follow a seagull along the water's edge is like prayer in motion as I watch them revel in what God has made.


Go outside today, if you can, or look out your home or office window, wherever that may be, and find the joy and wonder that awaits you. And hear these words from the Book of Daniel:

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.

Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
You heavens, bless the Lord.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord.

All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord.
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Shower and dew, bless the Lord.
All you winds, bless the Lord.

Fire and heat, bless the Lord.
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord.
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord.
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord.
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.

Let the earth bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.

Mountains and hills, bless the Lord.
Everything growing on earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord.
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.

You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord.
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord.

You sons of men, bless the Lord...
praise and exalt him above all forever. Daniel 3:57-82