April 11th Devotion
A Prayer to Hunger for the Lord
By Emily Rose Massey
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, ESV).
Recently, national news and social media have covered the “revivals” breaking out on college campuses around the United States. Although some are hesitant to officially put that label on what has been going on, countless young people and thousands of other Christians traveled far and wide to these campuses. They have been seeking the Lord and lifting high His Holy name in worship and prayer in one voice non-stop for days on end. Many have experienced the manifested presence of God, which has been described as indescribable peace and joy. One student’s testimony, shared on social media, read: “This isn’t hype. This is ordinary people crying out who are hungry for a move of God!”
It’s important to remember, the fruit of a move of God isn’t always about experiences with tangible peace or joy in a worship service, or the number of people gathered. Being hungry for God goes beyond attending revival meetings. Ultimately, true evidence of hunger in a Christian’s life can be seen when a believer has an insatiable appetite for seeking Christ and His righteousness. In the sermon on the Mount, Christ tells us:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, ESV).
Truly, there is much excitement centered around large gatherings in the name of Jesus Christ, catching the attention of the world. But I think it is important to realize that one does not have to travel miles and miles to a specific event or conference, nor gather with thousands of other believers, to experience this kind of hunger for the Lord. God can revive your heart to pursue Him and His ways wherever you are in the world. All you must do is ask Him to stir your heart for that hunger and thirst. The more you begin to say no to the world and your flesh and yes to Christ and His righteous ways, the more the Holy Spirit will draw you into a life of devotion to the Lord. Most often, God begins to do His work in our hearts and lives when we keep our minds fixed on His Word. His Word renews our minds and transforms our lives to reflect His ways above our own. We cannot stir up a hunger in our own strength, we need God’s help. We must petition God and ask Him to strengthen our desires for living more Christlike. He promises to bless us and satisfy us.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father,
I long for my life to reflect You so others see how excellent and perfect Your ways are compared to the ways of this world that are fallen, corrupt, and void of Your perfect love and truth. I often fail and give into fleshly temptation, and I thank You that I have been justified and made righteous in Your sight because of Your Son, Christ Jesus! Despite my shortcomings, you still desire for me to mature and grow in my walk. You are a God who transforms and purifies, so I ask You to help me renew my mind with Your Word so I can know Your good, acceptable, and perfect will and see my life conformed to the image of Your Son. I am asking You to give me a hunger and a thirst for righteous living. I know I cannot conjure this up in my heart; I need Your help. I know I do not need to be surrounded by thousands of people or have a tangible encounter in Your presence to be stirred to seek You more. You meet me wherever I am. You are faithful to do this work of sanctification in my life, so thank You for strengthening me in my spiritual disciplines. May I have a testimony of a great transformation to give You all the glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Emily Rose Massey
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, ESV).
Recently, national news and social media have covered the “revivals” breaking out on college campuses around the United States. Although some are hesitant to officially put that label on what has been going on, countless young people and thousands of other Christians traveled far and wide to these campuses. They have been seeking the Lord and lifting high His Holy name in worship and prayer in one voice non-stop for days on end. Many have experienced the manifested presence of God, which has been described as indescribable peace and joy. One student’s testimony, shared on social media, read: “This isn’t hype. This is ordinary people crying out who are hungry for a move of God!”
It’s important to remember, the fruit of a move of God isn’t always about experiences with tangible peace or joy in a worship service, or the number of people gathered. Being hungry for God goes beyond attending revival meetings. Ultimately, true evidence of hunger in a Christian’s life can be seen when a believer has an insatiable appetite for seeking Christ and His righteousness. In the sermon on the Mount, Christ tells us:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, ESV).
Truly, there is much excitement centered around large gatherings in the name of Jesus Christ, catching the attention of the world. But I think it is important to realize that one does not have to travel miles and miles to a specific event or conference, nor gather with thousands of other believers, to experience this kind of hunger for the Lord. God can revive your heart to pursue Him and His ways wherever you are in the world. All you must do is ask Him to stir your heart for that hunger and thirst. The more you begin to say no to the world and your flesh and yes to Christ and His righteous ways, the more the Holy Spirit will draw you into a life of devotion to the Lord. Most often, God begins to do His work in our hearts and lives when we keep our minds fixed on His Word. His Word renews our minds and transforms our lives to reflect His ways above our own. We cannot stir up a hunger in our own strength, we need God’s help. We must petition God and ask Him to strengthen our desires for living more Christlike. He promises to bless us and satisfy us.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father,
I long for my life to reflect You so others see how excellent and perfect Your ways are compared to the ways of this world that are fallen, corrupt, and void of Your perfect love and truth. I often fail and give into fleshly temptation, and I thank You that I have been justified and made righteous in Your sight because of Your Son, Christ Jesus! Despite my shortcomings, you still desire for me to mature and grow in my walk. You are a God who transforms and purifies, so I ask You to help me renew my mind with Your Word so I can know Your good, acceptable, and perfect will and see my life conformed to the image of Your Son. I am asking You to give me a hunger and a thirst for righteous living. I know I cannot conjure this up in my heart; I need Your help. I know I do not need to be surrounded by thousands of people or have a tangible encounter in Your presence to be stirred to seek You more. You meet me wherever I am. You are faithful to do this work of sanctification in my life, so thank You for strengthening me in my spiritual disciplines. May I have a testimony of a great transformation to give You all the glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Posted in Devotions
Recent
Archive
2024
January
January 1st DevotionDecember 31st follow-upJanuary 2nd DevotionJanuary 3rd DevotionJanuary 4th DevotionJanuary 5th DevotionJanuary 8th DevotionJanuary 7th Follow-upJanuary 9th DevotionJanuary 10th DevotionJanuary 11th DevotionJanuary 12th DevotionJanuary 15th DevotionJanuary 14th Follow-upJanuary 16th DevotionJanuary 17th DevotionJanuary 18th DevotionJanuary 19th DevotionJanuary 21st follow-upJanuary 22nd DevotionJanuary 23rd DevotionJanuary 24th DevotionJanuary 25th DevotionJanuary 26th DevotionJanuary 29th Devotion1-28-24 follow-upJanuary 30th DevotionJanuary 31st Devotion
February
February 1st DevotionFebruary 2nd DevotionFebruary 5th DevotionFebruary 6th DevotionFebruary 4th Follow-upFebruary 7th DevotionFebruary 8th DevotionFebrtuary 9th DevotionFebruary 12th DevotionFebruary 11th Follow-upFebruary 13th DevotionFebruary 14th DevotionFebruary 15th DevotionFebruary 16th DevotionFebruary 19th DevotionFebruary 20th DevotionFebruary 21st DevotionFebruary 22nd DevotionFebruary 23rd DevotionFebruary 26th DevotionFebruary 27th DevotionFebruary 28th DevotionFebruary 29th Devotion
March
March 1st DevotionMarch 4th DevotionMarch 3rd follow-upMarch 5th DevotionMarch 6th DevotionMarch 7th, 2024March 8th DevotionMarch 11th DevotionMarch 12th DevotionMarch 13th DevotionMarch 14th DevotionMarch 15th DevotionMarch 18th DevotionMarch 19th DevotionMarch 20th devotionMarch 21st DevotionMarch 22nd DevotionMarch 25th DevotionMarch 26th DevotionMarch 27th DevotionMarch 28th Devotion
2023
January
January 2nd DevotionFollow-up to January 1st teachingJanuary 3rd DevotionJanuary 4th DevotionJanuary 5th DevotionJanuary 6th DevotionJanuary 9th DevotionFollow-up to January 8th teachingJanuary 10th DevotionJanuary 11th DevotionJanuary 12th DevotionJanuary 13th DevotionJanuary 16th DevotionJanuary 17th DevotionFollow-up to January 15th teachingJanuary 18th DevotionJanuary 19th DevotionJanuary 20th DevotionJanuary 23rd DevotionFollow-up to January 22nd teachingJanuary 24th DevotionJanuary 25th DevotionJanuary 26th DevotionJanuary 27th DevotionJanuary 30th DevotionFollow-up to January 29th teachingJanuary 31st Devotion
February
No Comments