PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD WHAT IS DESIRE The word "desire" comes from a word that means "to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, and require" (STRONG'S). It is an especially strong word, carrying the idea of "demanding." This precise form of the word is used three other places. THE ROLE OF DESIRE This kind of desire – an expectation expressed to the Lord – is a key ingredient of spiritual life. It includes both personal desires and sanctified wants for our brothers and sisters. This is a strong and compelling quest for God's blessing – blessing that is integral to His great salvation. John said it this way: "And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him" (1 John 5:15). THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART Through the Psalmist the Lord said, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psa 37:4). These desires are not limited to personal wants. They also include desires for the people of God – like the ones expressed in this prayer. What are your desires for the people of God? Whatever they are, they reveal the closeness of your walk with the Lord. -- Tomorrow:
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Colossians 1:9-11, KJV)
Devotion 8 of 32
" . . . and to desire . . . " (9b)
Other versions read, "and to ask" (NKJV/NASB), "asking God" (NIV), "asking" (NRSV), "make request for you" (ASV), and "to beg" (DOUAY).
1. When the Jews demanded that Jesus be crucified (Luke 23:23). In this text the word is translated "requiring."
2. When the Jews sought to have Paul made accessible to them so that they might kill him (Acts 25:3 and Acts 25:15). In these cases, the word is translated "desired" and "desiring."
Other forms of the word include giving "to him that asketh of thee" (Matt 5:42), and being ready "always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Pet 3:15). The word is also used when describing the narrative between the mother of James and John and the Lord Jesus. It is said that she worshiped Jesus "desiring a certain thing of Him" (Matt 20:20).
As you can see, the word "desire" does not speak of a mere wish – something Paul would casually like to see happen among the Colossians. Rather, this speaks of strong desire that is articulated to God Himself. It is something that is requested with zeal, and fervently expected from the Lord of glory.
What is more, this is not something that is prayed with uncertainty about whether or not it will be honored by God – like making your request known to Him (Phil 4:6). This petition is based upon an awareness of both the circumstances of believers in this world, and the purposes of God for them. It is driven by faith, fueled by hope, and sanctified by an unfeigned love for the brethren.
I fear that many professing believers have never come to a point where such desires can be expressed through them. They live too close to the world, and are blissfully unaware of the real circumstances that face the saints of the most high God. This shrinks both the size and content of their prayers, and makes their answer highly unlikely. A nonchalant professing Christian simply cannot pray like this.
The prayer that follows is the "desire" Paul mentions. It is how he phrased his request to God, and is therefore very instructive. The man who prayed this had "obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful," or who had been "made trustworthy" NKJV by God's mercy (1 Cor 7:25).
From the personal perspective, David spoke of his focused desire in this way. "ONE THING have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple" (Psa 27:4). Let me once again emphasize that this is not a silent desire, kept within the heart. Rather, it is a desire that erupts from the mouth in supplication and prayer to God.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to walk close enough to You that I will want what Your have purpose for Your people.