I recently came across a picture on the internet showing a sea of gray, gloomy faces with one bright, beaming smile among them. The caption above it read: "When you pray in the morning!"

And indeed, it’s true. That joyful, smiling person—it's me, it's you, it's each of us who, upon waking, remembers God and rejoices in the gift of a new day, exclaiming gratefully, “Glory to You, who have shown us the light!”

But those gray faces—they are us, too. At least, they are me, when I wake up to the ringing of the alarm, immediately dive into my phone, and respond to someone’s anxious message... Sadly, this happens sometimes. Though I’ve promised myself countless times: no gadgets in the morning! Body and soul hygiene. A peaceful prayer, even if brief, but without rushing internally. To thank God for granting me yet another day and to ask for His support. What could be more important at the start of the day?

I often visit the monastery near my home and know the faces of all its residents. These are very bright faces. They are illuminated from within with a special tranquility and a quiet, yet powerful joy. Young and old women, very different, but united by this otherworldly light. When you look at them, you rarely think about their age.

Their day begins much earlier than mine, while it’s still dark. And prayer is their most important task. Do I even need to explain where this light in them comes from?

Of course, the internet picture is simplistic, and the bright person in it doesn’t look like a prayerful person, more like a switched-on light bulb. But it stuck with me. I really don’t want to live with a dimmed face. Especially knowing who gave me this life.

The essence of morning prayer, according to Saint Theophan the Recluse, is in thanking God for rest and strength and asking for His help to "do all things throughout the day for His glory."

This sets a high standard for the entire day: to live with God and for God. If this is achieved, no worries or worldly troubles can darken our faces.

Original article: radiovera.ru/svetlye-lica-natalja-razuvakina.html