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DESIRING GOD
(Romans 8:15-16—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang)

Prayer is a universal phenomenon. Every religion and culture will have their own way of prayers. The survey in the US in 2004 said about 30% of Atheists prayed sometime and about 17% non-believers pray regularly. This shows the human longing to communicate with the divine. Some theologians called it “the incurable God-sickness.” St Augustine said, “We have made in us for yourself and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” There is a longing in us to be in union with our Creator.
In the past people will pray for help to adapt and overcome the forces of nature. People were helpless and seeking for higher power. Today, science has helped us to adapt and overcome the nature, and people are begin to look inward—to search for more self-consciousness and inner peace. Many Christians from the West turn to the Eastern Religions and go to the Ashrams (monasteries) in India for mediation and inner peace.
Yet, what made Christians’ prayers different? For some prayer is part of their upbringing—family or church tradition. Many Christians pray very well as part of their functions in the Church or Christian gatherings. But true prayers borne from our relationship with God. We begin to communicate to God when there is a relationship. Romans 8:15-16, when the Spirit dwells in us and convinces our hearts and minds that we belong to God, we are a child of God—and given us the dependency and longing to God, like a little child with his/her Father, crying, “Abba Father.” In Ephesians, again Paul prayed for the believers so that God may open the eyes of their heart to see God and to know Him better.
Prayer is not merely a way to get things from God but as a way to get more of God himself – that is to know God better. Prayer is driven by a desire and longing to draw closer to the God, to know Him, to adore Him and to grow to be like Him.
How do I know I desire to pray – ‘to commune’ and talk with God? The proof test: Look at what you spend time thinking about when you’re alone? Nothing is forcing you to think about anything in particular? Do your thoughts go toward God? Do you confess you sins before God? Do you habitually thank God? And praise Him?
Just like many human relationships, crises will reveal what had been built earlier. Our prayer life will determine the way we face crises and change of life circumstance.
As the Spirit works in us, may we be open for His moving. May the Spirit instill in us the desire to get closer to God in prayer! And to have a longing to know God better. And to build a habit of talking with God regularly and consistently.

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