NEW! The Creator Who Knows and Loves

We encourage you to set aside 1 hour for this prayer exercise.  Regardless of whether this form of prayer is foreign or familiar to you, we encourage you to walk through the steps listed below.  This prayer exercise is intended to focus on what it means to be known and loved by God the Creator of the universe.  As Christians we are not deists, but rather we believe God is actively and intimately involved with His creation.  In fact, we believe that God knows us intimately.  However, much of our lives as Christians are spent living as though we were deists.  We are prone to avoid addressing what is in our heart because we believe that nobody truly understands and cares, including God.  Much of our Christian lives are spent attempting to do things in our own power as though we were not in relationship with the all-powerful Creator of the universe.  We cognitively acknowledge that God is all-powerful and that we are fully known by this omnipotent God, but we take the concerns of our lives into our own hands.  Much of life is spent with a shrunken view of God. As a result, we miss the reality that He fully knows us and cares about the desires of our heart.  

We encourage you to go somewhere that displays the beauty of God’s creation while doing this prayer exercise.  For example, you could go to a park, go to the beach, go to an aquarium, etc.  Find a quiet place where you can sit observing what is before you.  You will also need your Bible and a printed copy of this prayer exercise.    

  • Spend 5 minutes sitting before God.
    • Simply pray, “Father, I want to be open to you in truth.”
    • As thoughts and concerns come to mind briefly share them with the Father.  
  • Spend 15 minutes reading Genesis 1.
    • Read through the passage slowly.
      • Imagine the whole process of creation.
      • Reflect on the fact that we were created in His image and that He saw His creation of humanity as very good.
    • As you meditate on this passage do you find yourself connected or disconnected from what you are reading?  Be aware of the temptation to fix yourself as you realize some areas of disconnect or unbelief.  Simply open your heart to God’s truth and love.  
      • Do you find you are connected or disconnected from this being a true account of history?
      • Do you find yourself being connected or disconnected from God as truly all-powerful?
      • Do you find yourself being connected or disconnected from the fact that this God made you in His image and desires relationship with you?
  • Spend 10 minutes taking in the beauty that is around you.
    • Observe the intricacy, colorfulness and splendor of God’s creation.
    • Ask the question, “What kind of Person could have created all of this?”
      • What does creation tell me about the Creator’s beauty, power, care, etc.?
  • Spend 15 minutes acknowledging the truth that this amazing Creator knows you and loves you.
    • Scripture affirms this truth. 
      • He has searched us and known us and is intimately acquainted with all of our ways (Psalm 139:1-3).
      • God the Father searches our heart (Romans 8:27).
      • Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).
    • What do I truly believe about God?
      • Do I truly believe this all-powerful Creator knows me and loves me?
      • Do I find that when a problem presents itself in life I do not go to God for help, but rather try to do things on my own?
      • Do I find that I don’t share the deep desires and beliefs of my heart with God because I believe He doesn’t understand or doesn’t care?
    • Ask God to speak into the areas of unbelief that you have just explored and to attest to your heart the truth of the Scripture. 
      • Be aware of the temptation to move into self-condemnation because you have a sense of guilt regarding your beliefs.  Simply open your heart to God’s truth and love.  He is not surprised by areas of unbelief.  
  • Spend 10 minutes presenting a particular desire of your heart or concern you have in life right now to this wonderful Creator who fully knows you and loves you.
    • Share one area of life you are tempted to take into your own hands (desire, concern, etc.).
    • Spend a few minutes simply listening to God about what you have shared with Him. 
  • Spend 5 minutes singing a portion of the hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King” by St. Francis of Assisi (this is provided for you below) as a worshipful response to our Great God.  

    All creatures of our God and King
    Lift up your voice and with us sing,
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    Thou burning sun with golden beam,
    Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

    O praise Him! O praise Him!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

    Thou rushing wind that art so strong
    Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
    O praise Him! Alleluia!
    Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
    Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

    O praise Him! O praise Him!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

    And all ye men of tender heart,
    Forgiving others, take your part,
    O sing ye! Alleluia!
    Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
    Praise God and on Him cast your care!

    O praise Him! O praise Him!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

    Let all things their Creator bless,
    And worship Him in humbleness,
    O praise Him! Alleluia!
    Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
    And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

    O praise Him! O praise Him!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!


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