THIRSTING AND HUNGERING AFTER GOD

As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost I want to invite our congregation to deepen our passions and double our pleasures.  A healthy prayer life can do just that.

Psalm 63 talks about yearning for the presence of God like thirsty hikers craving a refreshing drink of water. Their parched throats cry out for relief. They can’t get the delightful thought of a cool drink of water out of their minds.

The psalmist then explains how God’s gracious presence surprised him with pleasure that ran through his body and soul. You can imagine him dancing with delight as he sings,

“Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
      how I praise you!
  I will praise you as long as I live,
      lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
 You satisfy me more than the richest feast.”

As we find joy and contentment in God we will reject the shabby, superficial, joys and cheap thrills that false value systems try to tempt us with. The attractions of consumerism and sensuality soon fade. Prayer helps us discover the mother lode of true joy and satisfaction! Let’s thirst and hunger after God in prayer. Then we can experience the power of Pentecost once again.