Prioritizing Relationship

Prioritizing Relationship

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4

IT’S EASY IN A DISCUSSION of faith and prayer to become focused on the objects of our faith and prayers. After all, the process of prayer involves seeking answers, waiting for something to happen, and receiving the fulfillment of promises God has given. Prayer is more than just this, of course. But Jesus often spoke of what God would do in response to our prayers, and the response isn’t just a nice bonus added on to a critical spiritual discipline. Those who say the point of prayer is to change us, not get something from God, are partly right but missing something. Jesus placed emphasis on receiving answers, not on the spiritual exercise itself. That’s significant.

Still, we know better than to make prayer just a transaction. God is not our vending machine, our ATM, our drive-thru window, or our microwave oven. We can’t just push the right buttons and get something in return. The foundation of our lives is an intimate relationship of love with the God who created us for exactly that purpose. Everything in the Christian life—not just prayer—comes from that source. Otherwise our desires are off target and usually self-focused.

Both sides of this relationship are captured in Psalm 37:4. The idea of having the desires of our hearts fulfilled is amazing and wonderful, but what kind of desires are they? Will they be good for us or destroy us? Are they focused entirely on ourselves or on a bigger picture? Without the first part of the verse, this is a dangerous promise. But in the context of a relationship of delight, joy, intimacy, and love, it’s a beautiful commitment from a generous Father.

In your life of prayer, prioritize your relationship with God. Center your life on him to the degree that he can shape your desires and trust you as he fulfills them. He delights in giving abundantly to those who understand what to do with abundance. He wants his children to be fully satisfied in his love first and then in the gifts that flow from his love. In your journey of faith and prayer, begin there, where all other blessings start to grow.

Our love for God is tested by the question of whether we seek him or his gifts.