The Spirit lyfe stream invites us to be empowered and fuelled by the presence and power of God.
We may long for lots of things in our lives – a good marriage, happiness, children, a pay rise, security.
These longings are not wrong in and of themselves. However, only God can ultimately and truly satisfy our deepest needs. As St Augustine once wrote, ‘You have made us only for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.’
Recap on your experience of the previous challenge. How did it go? Was it helpful?
If you weren’t able to try the challenge, explore the question: Where and how did you experience God last week?
Read the passage several times through, slowly and prayerfully. It might help to use your imagination to picture the scene. At the end of the text you will find helpful background information in our ‘Setting the Scene’ section.
As you read, look out for shockers and blockers.
Shockers – a phrase, word, image or something from the text that resonates, stands out or connects with you.
Blockers – something from the text that raises questions for you.
As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face? Day and night my tears are my only food, as everyone keeps asking, “Where is your God?”
Sorrow floods my heart, when I remember leading the worshipers to your house. I can still hear them shout their joyful praises. Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God. I am deeply discouraged as I think about you from where the Jordan begins at Mount Hermon and from Mount Mizar. Your vicious waves have swept over me like an angry ocean or a roaring waterfall. Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living Lord God.
You are my mighty rock. Why have you forgotten me? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad? Even my bones are in pain, while all day long my enemies sneer and ask, “Where is your God?”
Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
After you have all had time to read the text, pause and be still to listen to God through the Scriptures.
Begin your reflection time by each naming your shockers and blockers. Listen carefully to each other, share your thoughts and reflect on this passage together.
You might also like to explore these questions:
Q1. When have you experienced a longing for God?
Q2. Describe a worship experience where you felt very close to God.
Longing challenge: This session leads us to explore the theme of longing for God. As a group, create a challenge to increase a sense of worship in your life this week or choose one of the following:
Take time to arrange a mini-pilgrimage. It could be as simple as taking a couple of hours or a morning off to travel to a significant destination – perhaps where you first encountered God or to meet with people who significantly inspired you. You might want to attend a worship event or conference. You could also visit a Cathedral or an old church. You might like to do this as a group. As an alternative you could tour key places such as Jerusalem or Iona via the web – cheaper and quicker! Pilgrimages remind us of our longing for God and of his faithfulness and goodness to us as Christ calls us to 'Come and follow me.'
Take time each day to read and reflect on Psalm 42. Read it slowly and use it as a prompt for to shape your prayers. Talk to God about your personal longing to be with him and for his Spirit to be at work in your life.
In the Old Testament, worship was often linked to sacrifice and making an offering of grain or animals to God. This week, as an act of worship – consider a series of small sacrifices you could make. For instance you could donate the money you planned to spend on a dinner out to charity, give up a parking space or seat on the train, be the first up in your house to prepare breakfast (if you don’t already!), offer to put out the neighbour’s bins, do more than your fair share of the washing up. Think of each offering as a way of being obedient to God; that way your sacrifice will not be empty, but will show God honour and respect.
You might like to commit to praying for each person in the group this week as you look to explore and experience more of the Spirit.
The Spirit-filled life of Jesus
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Lyfe story
Lyfe story
‘The soul must long for God in order to be set aflame by God's love; but if the soul cannot yet feel the longing, then it must long for the longing. To long for the longing is also from God.’
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