DEVOTION:
Psalm 150:6
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
THOUGHT:
In this photo, we see a young person kneeling on a rock beside a flowing stream, hands lifted high and face turned upward—completely immersed in praise. There are no stained glass windows, no pews, no choir robes. Just creation and Creator. This moment captures what it means to worship with abandon—wherever we are, however we are, and in whatever we are surrounded by.
It’s a reminder that praise isn’t confined to Sunday mornings or sacred buildings. Praise erupts when our souls recognize the goodness of God—in laughter, in tears, in solitude, and in nature. The trees clap their hands, the water hums its song, and here, a heart fully surrendered joins in the eternal chorus.
This is the posture of Psalm 150 come alive. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” It doesn’t say when or where—only that if we have breath, we are invited to praise.
In this moment captured on camera, I don’t just see a young person—I see us all invited to let go of burdens, raise our hands in freedom, and find joy again in praising God with all we have, right where we are.
Even a rock by a stream can become an altar.
PRAYER:
Almighty and Holy God, You are the Lord of Heaven and Earth, With hands lifted high and hearts wide open, we come before You in awe and wonder on this Sunday morning. Thank You for being the God who meets us not only in sanctuaries built by hands, but in cathedrals carved by Your own—forests, streams, mountaintops, and every corner of creation. We thank You for this church family—for the love we share, the burdens we carry together, and the joy we find in fellowship. Strengthen the bonds between us. As we prepare for the upcoming service, may Your Spirit move freely in our worship, teaching, and communion. Open every heart to receive what You have for us, and may our praise rise to You unhindered and full of life.
We lift up our country, Lord. In these days that can feel uncertain and divided, we ask for a renewed outpouring of wisdom, peace, and unity. Guide our leaders to govern with justice and mercy, and awaken in all of us a deeper concern for our neighbors and for the generations to come. We especially give thanks for the foresight of those who long ago set aside sacred spaces—state parks, national parks, and protected lands. Thank You for their vision and courage to say "no" to short-sighted gain and "yes" to preservation. May we honor their legacy by living with gratitude, by protecting what remains, and by delighting in the works of Your hands. May creation always point us back to You, its Creator.
Help us, Lord, to live as people rooted in praise, whether we are in a pew, a forest, or kneeling on stone beside a stream. Let our lives become a song of worship, rising up with the rustling leaves and rolling waters, declaring Your goodness in all seasons. Father, let there be peace in our world. Let love triumph once again as it did many years ago on the cross. We give You glory, now and forever, through Jesus' Holy name. Amen.