Praying For a Craving

Seriously? Pray to have a craving? Don’t we usually ask God for His help to stifle our cravings and selfish desires? For the willpower to resist the sweets, the chips and extra helpings. The strength not to fall into temptation. Not to lust, gossip or be that contentious spouse.

But what about praying to crave Him? Praying to crave more of the Lord Almighty himself.

Last month I wrote that the word “adore” had been on my heart. That I would adore Jesus more than anything else. That I would empty myself of selfish wants and desires to make room for more of the Son of God.

The burning desire for a more intimate relationship with Jesus hasn’t been extinguished, which is a good thing. But it has also been extremely frustrating. To want something so badly and not know exactly how to get it.

I vividly recall the Sunday night while talking with my husband about this feeling. Crying—actually sobbing—out to God.

Lord, I want more of you! But how do I get it?

The Holy Spirit drew me to a verse in Acts 16:14 about a woman named Lydia who was a worshipper of God: “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”

A reminder that it is the supernatural work of God that prepares our hearts for His fullness.

If the Lord did it for Lydia, He could do it for me too. Open my heart so I could understand more clearly. Open my heart so I could have a closer, more intimate relationship with Him.

That’s when I decided to begin praying for my craving. Telling the Lord how I longed for a deeper understanding of His character. Letting Him know that I struggled with understanding His word, and that I hoped to see and hear Him more clearly as I read the Bible.

I wanted Him to know that I yearned to wake up every morning with a sense of urgency. An urgency to spend time in His presence before anything else. To humbly ask Him to soften my heart. Open my heart so that I could experience more of Him!

In my last post I also mentioned that I started 2017 with a commitment to one of the “Read the Bible in a Year” plans. Each reading consists of verses from the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis, verses from a Psalm, Proverbs, and the New Testament, starting in Matthew.

The closest we can get to God this side of heaven is through reading His written word. Daily devotions and blog posts are great but shouldn’t be substitutions for opening the Bible and absorbing the God breathed Scriptures. There are many reading options available. The most important thing is to just open the word of God. Every day!

This reading program, along with God preparing my heart, has literally transformed how I view Him. I heard the Creator of the universe as He spoke to Moses in the Book of Exodus, giving the intricate details for the Tabernacle. I heard the authoritative voice of God in Leviticus as He spoke to Moses. The very words of the Lord intended to direct the Israelites in holy living penetrated my soul. I literally felt a holy presence I had never experienced before.

I have finished reading the Book of Matthew and currently the New Testament reading is in Mark. Nothing short of a God incidence since my Wednesday Bible study is also covering Mark. Getting a double dose has been amazing.

Reading the Bible in its entirety can’t just be something to check off a to-do list. There must be a heartfelt desire to be lavished by the power and love of the Father through His written word. But ultimately it’s God who prepares our hearts to receive His fullness.

If you love the Lord, but know there’s something missing, pursue Him more passionately. Ask Him to soften your heart. Cry out to God Almighty.

Maybe you just need to be praying for the craving. He will answer in His perfect timing.

Let my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.

                                                                                                              – Psalm 119:169-170

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