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The One Thing to Want
- 03/14/10
- 6
This morning I came across a prayer by Pastor Scotty Smith, one he wrote just recently that focuses on his life in light of the words of Psalm 27. “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4). Here is what he prays on that basis:
Dear Lord Jesus, if you would say “Yes!” to just one of my prayers… if you would fulfill a single desire and intense longing of my heart, how could I possibly choose wiser than King David? Though I were to assemble a catalogue of commendable requests and redemptive petitions, there is nothing more to be desired than to gaze upon your unmitigated, unfiltered, unabridged beauty.
For on that Day all will be made right. Indeed, Lord Jesus, when you are finally and fully in sight, everything will be made right. Every prayer I’ve ever offered in concert with the heartbeat of heaven will be answered. Every quest and question will either be dissolved or resolved. All wrestling with providence and interceding over circumstance will be done with.
I will shout on that Day what I sometimes only half-heartedly whisper in this day, “My God has done all things well!” There will be no more praying in part… no more knowing in part… no more hoping in part. We shall see you as you are, Jesus, and we shall be like you. (1 John 3:2)
Until that Day, Jesus, please show us… show me, more and more of your beauty. Reveal as much of your beauty to me as I can entertain. For by the light of your beauty my sin becomes much more reprehensible… the gospel becomes much more commendable… your kingdom becomes much more visible… but above all, you become so much more desirable.
Jesus, no matter what I oftentimes think, feel, pout, demand or say… it is you I want more than anything or anyone else. Keep me restless until my heart more fully rests in you. So very Amen, I pray, in the beauty and bounty of your great name.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (6)
As is my custom every other weekend, I volunteered to stand the sunday morning watch at my Coast Guard station this morning. My life here is oftentimes thick with loud assertions as to what is beautiful and what is right and what is true, none of which are, and though I know the truth (in part), the lies get easy to believe, given they are loud and persistant enough. That said, this post was used by the Spirit to remind me of the magnificent and immovable truth of our Savior, which is the greatest gift I can receive on duty, so I offer a heartfelt thank you for posting it.-Marc
“Jesus, no matter what I oftentimes think, feel, pout, demand or say… it is you I want more than anything or anyone else”
What an incredible truth in this one thought. We do love Christ, those of us who were first loved by Him. And what can seperate us from this love?
Thanks for the posting of this magnificent prayer.
Good way to begin Sunday morning.
Man, that tore me up. You posted this for me, just so you’ll know. ;)
Thank you for sharing. Rev. 2 has taken much the same place in my life and I often pray, remembering my first love and striving not to loose it. That prayer is beautiful and poignant.
Tim, thanks for sharing this, I had to share it on facebook because I was so moved, it touched my heart deeply.
Tim great post and an inspiring prayer