Today’s Key Scripture

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.”

— Psalm 42:1

In the previous devotional, the account of the philosopher and his would-be student seems very cruel. It has nothing to do with our relationship with God.

However, I told the story to make this point: What is the one thing you want in your prayer life and intimate relationship more than anything else?

Until you answer this one question, and unless you begin seeking God with deep hunger and mighty thirst, literally to be as the deer in search of life-giving water spoken of by the psalmist, you will not see effective, persevering results in prayer.

What is the one thing you want more than anything else as you pray?

When we persevere in our prayers, we put our faith and hope in God. We refuse to lose heart. We go to God and persist in our prayers because we know that He is omniscient and omnipotent, and that He alone is able to answer our prayers. Learning to trust is a process.

Praise God for quick answers, but also learn to praise Him when the answers don’t come as quickly, knowing that He is working everything out for your good and in His time.

 

A Prayer for Today

Almighty Father, I want to go deeper and deeper with You. I offer my thankfulness for this privilege. I desire for You to help me move into a more intimate relationship with You. I want to persevere in prayer and communion with You. Keep me mindful of the ways I can glorify You, even in the way I ask You for both small and large things. And I pray all this in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

 

*All references NKJV unless otherwise noted.