As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2

Devotion

Living in Oklahoma but being a Michigan native, I can now confidently say I know what it feels like to thirst for water on an above 100 degree day. Dr. Sanders always says in our Sunday School class that Oklahoma is six miles from the sun and I think he’s right! Thirsting is a physical sensation that represents our need for sustenance, or panting for water as we read in Psalm 42 … which led me to my reflection on prayer for this devotional.

Personally, I love the book of Psalms because of the honesty of human emotion shared with God. When I think of prayer and my relationship with God, I think about what it is I am sharing with God in that moment: praise, thanksgiving, repentance, adoration, sorrow, heartbreak, hope … all of which we see shared throughout the Psalms. My prayer life has evolved and wavered over the years, looking different depending on events occurring in my life. It can be expressed in a multitude of ways, from quick praises in the car, to long and emotional prayers at night, to morning devotionals and journaling ending in quiet prayer time. However, the foundation of it all is the desire to be in conversation with God.

Specifically, Psalm 42 is one I resonate with deeply. In the first two verses of this passage, we read about a soul thirsting for God as a deer pants for water … these are images that feel profound: thirsting for God, admitting my need for him. Prayer is this constant communication and conversation with God. And just as I am seeking God, he is seeking me too. How significant! We do not have a distant, removed, far off God, but a LIVING God (Psalm 42:2). Our God is active and alive. When I reflect on my time with God in prayer, I wonder how I can still be formed and transformed by his living Word and my conscious contact with him? We are told we have a God who sympathizes with us, who knows how we feel emotion and suffering (Hebrews 4:15). This reminds me I can come boldly and honestly to him with anything I am experiencing. He is able to carry it all.

“Ease he did not seek, honor he did not covet, but the enjoyment of communion with God was an urgent need of his soul; he viewed it not merely as the sweetest of all luxuries, but as an absolute necessity, like water to a stag.” Charles Spurgeon

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, remind me, as my soul thirsts for you, to seek your beauty and divine presence that is ever present in my life. May I be comforted and encouraged by your Holy Spirit. Father, I pray that when I drink from your living Word, I will be transformed and further surrender to your will. I pray my relationship with you is strengthened through my time in prayer and that I am continuously reminded of our union together and the sacrifice you made through sending us your Son. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Andrea Parsells
Pastor, LifeCare Ministries - Counseling 

Andrea walks alongside adult individuals and couples, exploring mental health and relationships with Jesus.

Resources

• Watch the sermon Bread of Life from Pastor Deidre Franklin.
• Listen to Psalm 42 by Tori Kelly.
• Listen to I’m Desperate for You by Red Rocks Worship.
• Listen to Always Good by Crossings Venue Worship.
• Read Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton.

Read More Devotions

Explore other devotions like this one any time at crossings.church/devotions.