Dear Muslim and Christian friends,

Recently I’ve been asking myself, “What do I enjoy more than anything else?“ “What do I really desire in the deepest place of my heart”? “What thrills my heart above all else?” “What brings my heart to life and sets it on fire?”

Let me ask you the same questions – about your heart.

As this New Year begins. . .

“What do you desire more than anything on earth?”

“What satisfies & fulfills your heart more than anything on earth?”

“What brings joy to your heart and excites you to think about more than anything on earth?”

A friend.
Food.
Watching sports.
Playing sports.
Sleep.
A TV show.
Movies.
Video Games.
Music.
Hobbies.
Travel.
Nature.
Good grades.
Degree(s).
Awards.
Great job.
Being truly loved.
A husband, a wife.
Sexual intimacy.
Children.
Career.
Vacations.
Grandchildren.
Retirement.
Rest.

Or maybe you desire things that impact much more than just your own personal life. Maybe you desire big things – things that impact the world – more than anything else on earth:

Hunger ended.
Orphans adopted.
Widows comforted.
Good news extended.
A cure for cancer.
A cure for AIDS.
Clean air.
Clean drinking water.
Medical treatment for all.
The poor lifted up.
Dictators brought down.
War and violence to cease.
Injustice stopped.
The guilty brought to justice.
Fair elections.
Peace on earth.

Honestly, what do you think about and desire more than anything on earth?

In the Zabur (Psalm 73:25), the writer says this of God:
“I desire You more than anything on earth.”

I want to be able to say that to God with authenticity but I think that He alone can put that desire in me and so I ask Him for it here and now:

“Almighty, awesome God. May I desire to find my heart’s fulfillment, satisfaction, and pleasure in You. . . more than anything on earth.”

To all my Muslim and Christian friends: as we begin 2016, is that the prayer of your heart as well?

image