A Concord Pastor Comments: Pause for Prayer: Oct 22

Photo by Kevin Lefevre

This photo brings to mind a verse from Psalm 42:
     As the deer longs for running streams
        so my soul longs for you, O God...

As the deer in the photo, let's pause and pray...

My heart and soul thirst for so many things,
   so many blessings and gifts:
      for love, for companionship,
      for healing and wholeness;
      for serenity, for grace,
      for mercy and peace...

My heart and soul thirst for a sip
   from waters pure, sweet and cool,
     for a drink that slakes my thirst, so deep within...

Like a dry, parched desert land, my heart longs
   for a spring, a stream, an oasis
      where my barren life might be refreshed...

At the core of every thirst I know,
   at the bottom of my well gone dry,
there lies my soul, athirst for you,
   with a thirst that only you can quench...

Help me know the thirst in my heart's well
   is a thirst for you, O Lord:
a thirst that only you can slake,
   a well that only you can fill...

Lead me, Lord, to waters clean and clear
   where your grace flows so sweet and pure,
waiting for my thirsty heart to bow,
   as does the deer who longs for running streams...

(Here's Bob Hurd's beautiful musical setting of Psalm 42...)

As the deer longs for running streams,
so I long, so I long, so I long for you.

1) A-thirst my soul for you the God who is my life!
When shall I see, when shall I see,
see the face of God?

2) Echoes meet as deep is calling unto deep,
over my head, all your mighty waters,
sweeping over me.

3) Continually the foe delights in taunting me:
“Where is God, where is your God?”
Where, O where, are you?

4) Defend me, God, send forth your light and your truth,
they will lead me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling place.

5) Then I shall go unto the altar of my God.
Praising you, O my joy and gladness,
I shall praise your name.