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A Prayer for Stewarding Our Ultimate Longings

     And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” (Rev. 19:9-10) I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me. (Song of Songs 7:10)

Dear Jesus, it’s not hard to understand why John fell down to worship an angel—seeing what he saw, and hearing what he heard. For our oldest longings and deepest cravings are claimed by deep relationship with you.

We ache for the wedding supper of the Lamb—the consummate expression of your great love for us—for the fulfillment of every good promise we share in the gospel—for the Day when knowing you in part will give way to knowing you in fullness.

That we occasionally think there’s still some circumstance or relationship, some accomplishment or acquisition, some experience or exploit that will really give us what we’re looking for, such foolishness demonstrates the degree of our brokenness, and just how desperate we are for your grace to be at work in our hearts. We’re made for you, Jesus, and we will remain restless until we rest in you, again and again.

Until that Day you return to complete the good work you began in us, keep us free from the illusion we need more than you, and what you choose to give us in this life. Continue to convict us when we turn the good gifts you give us into necessities or idols. Help us to hold all things lightly, but you.

By the working of the Holy Spirit, reveal more and more of yourself to us, Jesus. We want to know you, and the power of your resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in your suffering, that, increasingly, we might become like you. Dazzle us with your beauty, mesmerize us with you mercies, and overwhelm us with your steadfast love. Maranatha—come Lord! So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and mighty name.

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