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Adore: A Simple Practice for Experiencing God in the Middle Minutes of Your Day
For anyone who longs to experience God in the thick of life's demands, Sara Hagerty's Adore offers a simple, soul-nourishing practice for engaging with God in the middle minutes of your day.
None of us signed up for a conventional experience with the unconventional God, yet too often the spiritual life can become routine, dare we say, even boring.
In Adore, Sara Hagerty gives us all permission to admit "I barely know You, God," and with this honest admission, to scoot a little nearer to this familiar stranger. Adoration is the simple practice Sara discovered for starting where you are, and letting the grit of your day greet the beauty of God's presence.
Adoration is for the woman who feels frenzied and fearful in the middle minutes of her day. It is a simple practice for 7:37 a.m. when the children are waking and the dryer is already humming but also for the 12:17 p.m. lunch break and for 5:53 p.m. while stuck in traffic.
Adoration is the place where we put how we feel in front of God's Word, and watch what happens to our insides. It's what you were made for. Join Sara in this soul-stirring journey through thirty attributes of God which you can walk through at your own pace. Learn how the simple habit of adoration--in the middle minutes of your day--can help you see God with fresh eyes, and talk to Him right there. Experience a new way of engaging with God in your everyday. Adore will show you how.
None of us signed up for a conventional experience with the unconventional God, yet too often the spiritual life can become routine, dare we say, even boring.
In Adore, Sara Hagerty gives us all permission to admit "I barely know You, God," and with this honest admission, to scoot a little nearer to this familiar stranger. Adoration is the simple practice Sara discovered for starting where you are, and letting the grit of your day greet the beauty of God's presence.
Adoration is for the woman who feels frenzied and fearful in the middle minutes of her day. It is a simple practice for 7:37 a.m. when the children are waking and the dryer is already humming but also for the 12:17 p.m. lunch break and for 5:53 p.m. while stuck in traffic.
Adoration is the place where we put how we feel in front of God's Word, and watch what happens to our insides. It's what you were made for. Join Sara in this soul-stirring journey through thirty attributes of God which you can walk through at your own pace. Learn how the simple habit of adoration--in the middle minutes of your day--can help you see God with fresh eyes, and talk to Him right there. Experience a new way of engaging with God in your everyday. Adore will show you how.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2020
260 people are currently reading
1469 people want to read
About the author
Sara Hagerty
8 books345 followersSara Hagerty is a lover of words, a student of God and His Word, a wife to the man she married first and fell deliriously in love with about ten years later (it’s true), and a mom of seven (gulp). She is a Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author and has written several books – her most recent being The Gift of Limitations, released via Zondervan in March of 2024.
Long before she was a writer, Sara was a reader. She spent childhood afternoons with her bony frame folded up in the corner swivel chair of her parents’ sunroom, lost in the pages of a story.
Other than in the pages of a book, her favorite place to write is on substack – it’s a quieter, more focused place for her to craft words about her reach for God and to invite readers into that strange nexus of raw honesty and wonder.
Though writing and reading are both her passions, she clocks most of her time with the people under her roof and those within her five-mile radius. She’s graduated several of her children, and yet she’s still teaching her little ones to write letters and tie shoes. Every day at 10 am, she’s tromping through the woods that line her home with those of her kids still 10 and under. Life surely hasn’t been what she expected, and she writes about finding Him amid the chaos, the pain, and the beauty of those surprises.
Connect with Sara on:
Substack (where she writes the most)
SaraHagerty.net
Facebook
Instagram
Long before she was a writer, Sara was a reader. She spent childhood afternoons with her bony frame folded up in the corner swivel chair of her parents’ sunroom, lost in the pages of a story.
Other than in the pages of a book, her favorite place to write is on substack – it’s a quieter, more focused place for her to craft words about her reach for God and to invite readers into that strange nexus of raw honesty and wonder.
Though writing and reading are both her passions, she clocks most of her time with the people under her roof and those within her five-mile radius. She’s graduated several of her children, and yet she’s still teaching her little ones to write letters and tie shoes. Every day at 10 am, she’s tromping through the woods that line her home with those of her kids still 10 and under. Life surely hasn’t been what she expected, and she writes about finding Him amid the chaos, the pain, and the beauty of those surprises.
Connect with Sara on:
Substack (where she writes the most)
SaraHagerty.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
March 18, 2020
I lived this book as I wrote it, and I'm so grateful for your interest and readership.
March 23, 2020
I'd suggest in years to come this book will become regarded as a 'classic'. Fascinatingly, it's being released in the middle of the greatest global crisis since WWII when many people will be crying out to God for answers, for help and for more of Him in their life. And it is in the practice of adoration that Sara demonstrates how we can discover God, His immense love for each one of us and how our minds can be renewed by His Word.
I've been following Sara for years now and have started each day in that time using her daily Adoration prompts. I've loved it but I realised in reading this book how I was still a novice in the practice. Adoration has been a core element of Sara's life for over a decade now. It's become a way of life, not just something she does in her Quiet Time, or before she retires to bed, but in all the messy moments of a day. It might be as she puts one of her kids to bed at night, on her morning run, waiting in the grocery line, or when she is just feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
In this book, Sara shows us how we too can incorporate it throughout our day. The book starts with six chapters outlining the background to Sara adopting this practice, why it's so important and how it changes our heart and enhances our intimacy with God. Then she takes us through 30 'attributes' of God, for example, 'Father', 'Healer', or "God, Closer than my skin' and works through an adoration practice across 4-5 pages including what she wrote when she prayed over the particular verse and suggestions for how we can use it when conversing with God.
Adoration only works if we bring our 'lack' into the equation. It's grabbing a verse(s) and connecting it to how we're feeling in that moment and dialoguing that with God. Please do look up Sara's Instagram to watch some of her examples; that way you'll get a much better sense of the practice.
This is a book for 'such a time as this'. This practice has changed my life as I've experienced first hand a renewal of my heart and mind drawing me closer to God. I believe it can do that for every reader of this wonderful book.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Adore via the publisher on the premise I pre-ordered a copy of the book and with no expectation of a positive review.
I've been following Sara for years now and have started each day in that time using her daily Adoration prompts. I've loved it but I realised in reading this book how I was still a novice in the practice. Adoration has been a core element of Sara's life for over a decade now. It's become a way of life, not just something she does in her Quiet Time, or before she retires to bed, but in all the messy moments of a day. It might be as she puts one of her kids to bed at night, on her morning run, waiting in the grocery line, or when she is just feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
In this book, Sara shows us how we too can incorporate it throughout our day. The book starts with six chapters outlining the background to Sara adopting this practice, why it's so important and how it changes our heart and enhances our intimacy with God. Then she takes us through 30 'attributes' of God, for example, 'Father', 'Healer', or "God, Closer than my skin' and works through an adoration practice across 4-5 pages including what she wrote when she prayed over the particular verse and suggestions for how we can use it when conversing with God.
Adoration only works if we bring our 'lack' into the equation. It's grabbing a verse(s) and connecting it to how we're feeling in that moment and dialoguing that with God. Please do look up Sara's Instagram to watch some of her examples; that way you'll get a much better sense of the practice.
This is a book for 'such a time as this'. This practice has changed my life as I've experienced first hand a renewal of my heart and mind drawing me closer to God. I believe it can do that for every reader of this wonderful book.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Adore via the publisher on the premise I pre-ordered a copy of the book and with no expectation of a positive review.
January 1, 2025
Not a book of do it this way and you'll be super spiritual. Rather it read to me as an invitation to come before God in all the moments, however messy or beautiful, and breathe: questions, prayers, laments, scriptures, truth. God will always meet us there.
March 21, 2020
I love Sara's ability to walk us through parts of her thought-life to help us truly have an understanding of what adoration looks like and how it really is meant for everyone. God calls us to worship and adoration is one vital way to worship Him. I love how she describes adoration as a way to stop despising self. A truly beautiful encounter with God in a way you may not have ever experienced. It's such a practical way to "take every thought captive" and "renew your mind" with His words.
November 15, 2023
I started this book with the intention of finishing it, no matter what. I may come back to it some time, but I noped out from feeling unhappy with it.
Sara is a gifted writer, she is inspirational. I commend her desire to authentically worship God in all things of life, praising God in the car or lamenting before him in our ordinary days.
She writes,
"All the thoughts I have in those 'insignificant' moments are ones He hears and knows. They tell my story even more than that highlight reel does, and He sees it all and desires to engage with me there."
I found the content to be misleading and/or insensitive to suffering, particularly for those who love Jesus in the mental health community. I would say not that Sara Hagerty is insensitive or unkind as a person, I mean to say that the ideas themselves that she presents are.
She writes,
"Adoration presents us with a choice. Would I choose to spiral, to wait out the mindless spinning and reacting, the head rush--increase in my pulse, and anxious scurrying and self shaming and scolding--or would I choose to invite Him inside?
"That next morning, I chose to step out of the spiral. . .I started to believe His word more than my fight or flight impulses."
I get the sense that OCD, anxiety, elevated heart rate, and fight-or-flight is incompatible with faith in God and that a love for God heals the effects of trauma, and that experiencing these struggles is a choice you either say yes to or no to. I don't recommend 😕
Sara is a gifted writer, she is inspirational. I commend her desire to authentically worship God in all things of life, praising God in the car or lamenting before him in our ordinary days.
She writes,
"All the thoughts I have in those 'insignificant' moments are ones He hears and knows. They tell my story even more than that highlight reel does, and He sees it all and desires to engage with me there."
I found the content to be misleading and/or insensitive to suffering, particularly for those who love Jesus in the mental health community. I would say not that Sara Hagerty is insensitive or unkind as a person, I mean to say that the ideas themselves that she presents are.
She writes,
"Adoration presents us with a choice. Would I choose to spiral, to wait out the mindless spinning and reacting, the head rush--increase in my pulse, and anxious scurrying and self shaming and scolding--or would I choose to invite Him inside?
"That next morning, I chose to step out of the spiral. . .I started to believe His word more than my fight or flight impulses."
I get the sense that OCD, anxiety, elevated heart rate, and fight-or-flight is incompatible with faith in God and that a love for God heals the effects of trauma, and that experiencing these struggles is a choice you either say yes to or no to. I don't recommend 😕
August 25, 2024
Beautifully written in a way that pierces through fluff and Christian idealism. This book is part “book” and part daily/weekly/monthly (you get to choose) topical devotional. I have gone slowly through the 30 topics over the summer and I think the way she helps the reader form adoring thoughts and prayers of God will change the way I connect with Him from this point on. Highly recommend especially if your time with the Lord has been feeling dry or disconnected.
July 5, 2023
3.5 - didn’t connect with the beginning but loved reading through some attributes of God!!
May 16, 2021
I normally don't rate books I don't finish (and especially not at four stars!) but in this case I'm tired of fighting technical difficulties with finishing the library e-book, so I'm giving up on finishing it until I can access it some other way.
I LOVED the beginning section of this book, and highly recommend the book if just for reading that. I had a harder time connecting with the devotional section, but that may just be my own aversion to devotionals.
I LOVED the beginning section of this book, and highly recommend the book if just for reading that. I had a harder time connecting with the devotional section, but that may just be my own aversion to devotionals.
October 26, 2021
“ADORE: a simple practice for experiencing GOD in the middle minutes of your day”
This is not just a subtitle. This is real. This practice of adoration requires only minutes. Literally minutes! In the middle of our morning, afternoon, or dead of night. In the quiet, or right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, the overwhelming swirl of demands or a sudden flood of emotions. These are the moments when our Savior wants to meet us. To reveal new depths of His heart to us.
"ADORE" will welcome you into the presence and embrace of a GOD who longs for intimate conversations with you. These pages will help you take your first baby steps (or your hundredth) toward speaking the LORD's own Words back to Him and allowing them to shift your heart.
Sara shares personal stories of real and raw moments in life and her own path of seeing those moments as invitations to allow God to hold and mold her heart.
Her experiences raw and relatable & her passion for a transformative relationship with the living GOD is contagious!
Beautifully and poetically written! I cannot wait to dive into her other books!
This is not just a subtitle. This is real. This practice of adoration requires only minutes. Literally minutes! In the middle of our morning, afternoon, or dead of night. In the quiet, or right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, the overwhelming swirl of demands or a sudden flood of emotions. These are the moments when our Savior wants to meet us. To reveal new depths of His heart to us.
"ADORE" will welcome you into the presence and embrace of a GOD who longs for intimate conversations with you. These pages will help you take your first baby steps (or your hundredth) toward speaking the LORD's own Words back to Him and allowing them to shift your heart.
Sara shares personal stories of real and raw moments in life and her own path of seeing those moments as invitations to allow God to hold and mold her heart.
Her experiences raw and relatable & her passion for a transformative relationship with the living GOD is contagious!
Beautifully and poetically written! I cannot wait to dive into her other books!
February 1, 2022
I really enjoyed started the year with a book that directed me to aspects of God’s character each day. The beginning is a few chapters about the author’s experience with adoration and how it’s been a life changing, meaningful journey for her especially in dark times or the regular mundane of life. The second part of the book is 30 daily reflections of a specific aspect of who God is with scriptures to meditate on, a prayer, a short reflection, and a way to weave this practice into daily life.
The book is definitely geared towards women and specifically mothers as she shares a lot from her motherhood journey.
It’s not in depth theology, but it’s simple, refreshing, and meaningful.
The book is definitely geared towards women and specifically mothers as she shares a lot from her motherhood journey.
It’s not in depth theology, but it’s simple, refreshing, and meaningful.
May 1, 2022
Sara Hagerty is such a beautiful writer. This book is one I will read over and over again, next time with a journal, pencil and highlighter. So many opportunities in this book to learn to grow my relationship with God. Love this practice hagerty writes about of adoring God in the middle minutes of every day. Whether we are golfing, folding laundry, taking care of sick children, delivering a sales pitch, etc. there are moments in every day and in every space to adore, listen and speak to our God.
April 4, 2020
I've been so excited to get Sara's new book in my hands: Hers is a trusted voice, always always always pointing me to Jesus. Every time she's mentioned her habit of verbal adoration - in her previous books, on social media - I've wanted to know more, to have a guide for my own adoration. And here it is, just when my own thought life is so likely to spin away into fear and uncertainty, trapped at home during a global pandemic. I am so thankful for this book.
January 29, 2023
This book starts with defining what it means to adore and then leads into a 30 day devotional. Each day gives a character of God and ways to adore God through that character, Scriptures associated with the characteristic, and journal prompts or specific ways to apply the adoration for that characteristic. I borrowed this book from the library so I didn’t take the time I probably should have to work through the devotion part. But I still walked away with good knowledge and new ways to adore God in the moment by moment of my day. It especially helped me think through a specific prayer I am praying for myself this year.
April 10, 2021
Sara is honest and gives examples of this practice that are easy to relate to. I was looking for a way to just remember the Lord throughout my day and I wanted to read this slowly to not miss a thing. Once I started, I knew this was going to be something that was going to change my days - recognizing that he is there and accessible even in the “middle minutes”. Using now as a devotional :) Highly recommend!
June 5, 2020
A book that will take you straight to the heart of God. Love Sara's way with words and how she shares so intimately with the reader her own journey while also drawing us into our own.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
October 16, 2020
This book fed my soul. The author invites you to read at your own pace. It was such an encouragement and bright spot in my morning devotional time. I think I’m actually going to miss her wonderful words in the morning ❤️
December 16, 2020
I think Sara and I are kindred spirits that have never met. So much that she referenced, I could relate to and I appreciate her insights from a little further along the journey. This is one to have in hard copy--I read it in Kindle but would love a real edition.
May 12, 2022
Not sure if the author & I's lives are in a different place and I didn't relate? Overall, I appreciated the work to find the scriptures and break things down. There were definitely chapters that I identified with and moments where I felt God used the book to speak to me, but it wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be.
July 28, 2021
Such a timely exhortation in my life right now... It met me exactly where I needed it most, which has been a beautiful grace from the Lord. Thankful for this book.
August 29, 2021
4.5: Beautiful, insightful, healing, practical, hopeful.
February 13, 2024
This book has been incredibly impactful on my prayer life, and especially in my desire to pray without ceasing.
November 6, 2024
Half book / half daily devotional. I savored it and took my time, there’s so much goodness. She is raw & real, but in sharing her stories she always shares how adoring Jesus got her unstuck.
July 6, 2024
I really loved this book and the way the author walks you through some of the practices of experiencing God in real life circumstances
August 5, 2024
Met me at the right moment
April 1, 2022
This book was a beautiful collection of stories and ways to adore God for His beauty and characteristics.
I am thankful for the resource of verses that capture God’s heart but I felt it lacking in gospel-presence. As a believer, I ultimately adore God because He took my dead heart and made me alive through the death and resurrection of Jesus. I felt like this book spent time looking on Christ and even had sections that called for repentance but I was waiting for more of who Christ is to me because of His sacrifice. There is also a section that encourages listening prayer which I personally don’t agree with, but I so appreciate Sarah’s heart for God and she has a beautiful way of sharing stories that captivate me as a reader and will be so memorable as I adore God more.
I am thankful for the resource of verses that capture God’s heart but I felt it lacking in gospel-presence. As a believer, I ultimately adore God because He took my dead heart and made me alive through the death and resurrection of Jesus. I felt like this book spent time looking on Christ and even had sections that called for repentance but I was waiting for more of who Christ is to me because of His sacrifice. There is also a section that encourages listening prayer which I personally don’t agree with, but I so appreciate Sarah’s heart for God and she has a beautiful way of sharing stories that captivate me as a reader and will be so memorable as I adore God more.
March 26, 2020
This book is incredibly helpful in helping the reader to understand the practice of daily adoration of God AND facilitating the practice by examples. If you’re weary of box-checking or just feel like you don’t know how to engage with God, read this book. Sara’s writing has ignited a fire to bring my honest thoughts before God and allow His character (expressed through His Word) to change me.
November 18, 2020
This is not a book you just read, but one you live and practice. “Adoration invites me to come with the whole of my story, hopeful He will breathe life into it. All of it. Not just the easily told parts.”
I read and practiced this book in a small group setting. It was life giving.
I read and practiced this book in a small group setting. It was life giving.
March 19, 2020
This book is such a delightful, comforting, and yet challenging read. Go deeper in your relationship with God and you will NOT regret the investment you make. This book helps guide you through ways we can grow closer and know God better in practicing the art of ADORATION. This book was savoring to read- slowly and so I could meditate and really dig into the prompts that led me to study in His Word. I think it is not accident that this book is soon to be released at a time in this world that we are seeking Him and the peace that comes from knowing him and resting in the adoration of Him. This was a new skill for me to put into practice and Sara does such a beautiful job at explaining it and leading us through the practice so gracefully.
March 18, 2020
Sara teaches us how to use scripture to adore the Lord. This book I beautiful and practical and life changing! I highly recommend it!
October 4, 2020
I would have to say that this was my favorite book of 2020. I devoured it quickly when it first came out and then reread it---taking it slowly, reflectively, a second time through. I expect it to be a book I'll be rereading repeatedly over the years as Sara's message is deep, beautiful, and timeless. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews