Verse of the Day for July 4

A deer does not pant for show. It pants because it has been running, and the water is the only thing on its mind.

The psalmist borrows that picture for prayer: so panteth my soul after thee, O God. There is no crowd in the image. Just an animal and a stream, and a need that nobody else can feel on its behalf.

Thirst works like that. You can describe it to a friend, but they cannot drink for you. Prayer without an audience begins here, when you stop thinking about how the prayer sounds and start thinking about what you lack.

His question is when shall I come and appear before God. He wants to appear, but before one person only. Not before the church, not before the family, before God. And it is the living God he wants, someone who answers, not the memory of someone.

Try it tonight in your room, with the light off and nothing to prove. Say what you are thirsty for. Say it the way you would ask for a glass of water.

The truest prayers are often the ones no one else would find impressive.

Bring God your thirst, not your performance.