Hey Church!

In an essay on prayer, C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Prayer in the sense of petition, asking for things, is a small part of it; confession and penitence are its threshold, adoration its sanctuary, the presence and vision and enjoyment of God its bread and wine. In [prayer] God shows Himself to us. That He answers prayers is a corollary–not necessarily the most important one–from that revelation. What He does is learned from what He is.” 

Worship, like prayer, can easily become a self-centered exercise if we do not regularly remind ourselves that we do it not primarily for a change in our feelings or circumstances but for the “presence and vision and enjoyment of God.” Yes, we are commanded to bring our petitions to Him as to a loving heavenly Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children. But we must also remember that He is the central object of our desire, not merely the things He can do for us. 

So, this Sunday, come desiring Him in His fullness. Make your primary petition, “More of you, God! More of you and less of me” (John 3:30). “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). 

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
    till each appears before God in Zion.Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.
Look on our shield, O God;
    look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you.