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A Prayer about Jesus’ Desire for Us and Delight in Us

I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me. Song of Sol. 7:10
     Dear Lord Jesus, the Song of Solomon has never been one of the most underlined books in my Bible, but the more I look for you in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27), the more I’m drawn to its startling and sensual imagery. To linger in the Song of Solomon is to tap into our deepest longings for intimacy, playfulness, passion, and delight. It’s to savor the unparalleled joys of  knowing and being known by you.
     Indeed, Jesus, you are the great lover of whom this book speaks. In our best moments, our love for one another is a mere hint and whisper of the way you love us. We are your beloved—the bride upon whom you’ve set your deepest affection; for whom you paid the ultimate price; in whom you delight greatly; over whom you rejoice with singing. We believe, help our unbelief.
     This isn’t the gospel I grew up with, but this is the gospel. To be desired is to be wanted and pursued, seen and enjoyed, known and nourished, remembered and cherished. All of this is promised and provided in only one place—in the gospel of your grace.
     Only the Holy Spirit can enable us to believe and experience the liberating truths, the unparalleled beauty, and the oceans of delight revealed in this book, and held out in the gospel. So I cry out today: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Rescue me from my unbelief; dethrone my false notions of God; enflame my chilled heart. It’s one thing to rest in the finished work of Christ, but it’s another thing to be alive to Jesus’ present desire. Do a great work in our hearts, Holy Spirit. Do a fresh work in my heart, even this very hour.
     Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for believing that any human being could possibly satisfy the very longings you created in us. Forgive me for assuming I could ever be to someone else what you alone can be. Help all of us—the unmarried, the happily married, and the miserably married—to realize that you, Jesus, are the spouse we always wanted and the one to whom we belong. And more importantly, help us to believe that you are the Spouse who always wanted us. So very Amen we pray, in your peerless name.

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