As we have previously noted, the core of the morning service is the Shema, which is surrounded by prayers which describe the main attributes of Hashem: G-d as creator; revealer; and redeemer.
Which is all very nice, good theological information, but what exactly are we supposed to do with it? Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel enhances our understanding. He wrote, “To the prophets, wonder is a form of thinking.”
Prayer is an opportunity—indeed, the main opportunity—we have to develop and nurture that sense of wonder. So at the end of or davening, we should not walk away with the mere knowledge that G-d created the world, gave us the Torah, and redeemed us from Egypt.
We should walk away amazed that G-d created the world; overwhelmed that G-d shared His knowledge with us through the Torah; and astounded that the Master of the Universe saw fit to devote Himself to rescuing a little Hebrew speaking tribe and thereby defined the moral course of the universe.
As we are davening, we should think of what G-d has created—the intricacies of the human body, the universe of stars and galaxies, the touch of the hand of the person we love.
G-d did all of this.
As we are davening, we should think of what G-d has given us the ability to do—to think and reason, to create exquisite sounds from mere strings and tubes, to paint breathtaking masterpieces, to create buildings that belong in heaven.
G-d did all of this.
As we are davening, we should think of the great miracles of the human spirit—the struggles against tyranny and cruelty, the nobility of the champions of freedom, the inspiring power of Abraham Lincoln (“the better angels of our nature”), Winston Churchill (“We will fight them on the beaches…”), Martin Luther King (“I have a dream”).
G-d did all of this.
Davening can indeed inspire wonder, and shape our very form of thinking.