A Prayer about Good Desires and Longings

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Gracious and Generous Father,

Thank you for the desires you have placed in our hearts. 

Our longings for children, 

longings for a loving spouse, 

longings for close friends, 

longings for peace in our families, 

longings for rest from work,

longings for a safe place to live,

longings for physical healing,

are all good. 

They can all be traced back to the shalom

with which you created the world. 

According to Nicholas Wolterstorff, 

“To dwell in shalom is to enjoy living before God, 

to enjoy living in one’s physical surroundings, 

to enjoy living with one’s fellows, 

to enjoy life with oneself.”*

Lord, thank you for creating us 

for enjoyment of you 

and enjoyment of the good gifts 

you so generously give us. 

Thank you for transforming our desires 

as we continue to delight ourselves in you. 

When our hearts hurt because you have not chosen 

to fulfill good desires, 

draw us near to you and give us the comfort 

only you can give. 

Remind us that one day, 

Jesus will return, 

and we will eternally enjoy the shalom 

that fulfills our deepest longings. 

In Jesus’ desirable name. Amen.

Read  Psalm 37.

*From Nicholas Wolterstorff’s Till Justice and Peace Embrace.