Feb26 – Day 57. One Thing I Desired of the Lord

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

Welcome to another daily prayer. Prayer works. What is the one thing you desire from the Lord? 

“One thing I have earnestly desired of the Lord, and this is what I will fervently seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. There, in His sacred presence, I long to behold the beauty of the Lord, to experience His divine essence, and to immerse myself in the profound peace that surrounds Him. I yearn to inquire in His temple, to seek wisdom, and to understand His ways, allowing my heart and mind to be transformed by His holiness and grace.”

Transcript

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to another episode of EBC’s Prayer Podcast. Today is February 26, the 57th day of the year, a moment to pray and give God thanks for the precious gift of prayer.

I’m your host, Dr. Victoria Haddad, the First Lady and Prayer Leader at Elyon Bible Church Apostolic in Salem, New Jersey. It fills my heart with great joy to connect with each of you as we embark on this spiritual journey through prayer. 

As stated in previous episodes, our prayers throughout the year will be rooted in the 66 books of the Bible. We start in Genesis and will end in the book of Revelation. 

Today, we continues in the book of Psalms, and our scripture will be taken from Psalm 27:4, which reads: “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” 

What is the one thing you desire from the Lord? As we pray, let us reflect on these words and invite the Lord into our hearts.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, our Lord, our God, and our Savior.
 Lord, we come before you with grateful hearts, overwhelmed by your greatness. Thank you for granting us this very moment to pray and to draw near to your throne of grace. Without you, Lord, we cannot imagine where we would be. Without your guidance, your hand of protection, and your unfailing love, we would be lost, wandering in darkness with no hope. But because of who you are, we can stand in this moment because of your grace and mercy.

Father, just like your servant David, we are declaring during our prayer today the “one thing we have desired of the Lord, that will we seek after: that we may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” 

Lord, may this not only be the cry of David, but the deepest longing of our own hearts as well. We desire to dwell in your presence. We want to be like you and be with you. We desire to rest beneath the shadow of your wings. We desire to sit at your feet and learn from you. 

Lord, there is no beauty like the beauty of your holiness, no peace like the peace that flows from your presence, and no joy like the joy of knowing that we belong to you.

Father, teach us how to seek you above all else. In a world that offers us so many distractions, so many voices calling out for our attention, help us to still our souls and turn our gaze toward you. Help us to remember that nothing compares to the richness of fellowship with you. When our hearts are restless, lead us back to you. When our minds are clouded with worry, bring us again into the light of your truth. When our burdens feel too heavy, remind us that you are the burden-bearer and that your yoke is easy, and your burden is light.

Lord, when we enter your house, whether it be a sanctuary or a humble gathering, help us to enter with thanksgiving and praise. Let our lips declare your goodness. Let our songs rise like incense before your throne. Let every word, every thought, and every action honor your name. May our churches be filled with the sound of worship, the sweetness of prayer, and the beauty of your spirit moving among us.

Father, help us not to seek answers from everyone but you. Help us not to chase after solutions in our own strength, but to run first to you, for you are our God, who knows all things and nothing is impassible for you. 

Lord, help us to make good choices, and turn to you with our questions, our doubts, and lay them at your feet. For we know that you are not only the source of wisdom, but you are wisdom itself. You are the God who gives generously to those who ask. You are the shepherd who leads us beside still waters. You are the teacher who opens our eyes to see wondrous things that you have in control.

Lord, help us to always remember that when we seek you, we will find you. In your presence, our weary are refreshed. In your presence, our anxious thoughts are quieted. In your presence, our broken hearts are healed. For you are inviting us to come just as we are, and you never turn us away. In you, Lord, we are welcomed, accepted, and deeply loved.

Father, remember those who are struggling to find rest today. Remember those who are burdened with sorrow, those weighed down by fear, those who feel distant from you. May all of us encounter the beauty of your holiness and feel the warmth of your embrace. For in your presence there is fullness of joy, and at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Lord, help us to recognize and behold your glory in creation, in scripture, in worship, and even in moments of life. Help us to recognize your fingerprints in every blessing and your hand at work, even in trials. Let us never lose sight of the majesty of who you are: the God who sits high, yet bends low to listen to the cries of us, your children.

Father, we ask that our lives would reflect your beauty to others. May we become living testimonies of your grace, shining lights in a world that so desperately needs hope. Help us to walk in love, to extend kindness, to speak words of life, and to serve with humility, so that others can see you through us. May our lives draw others closer to your presence, pointing them to you, the author and finisher of our faith.

Lord, we know that life is filled with uncertainties, but you are the one constant that never changes. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. And because you never change, we can trust you, for your promises are sure and your love is everlasting.

Father, in closing, please guide our steps, guard our hearts, and fill us with your spirit so that everything we do can bring honor to your name.

In the powerful, precious, and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, we pray…Amen.

Everyone. Keep on praying, keep on trusting God. Have a great day, and by God’s grace, we will pray again tomorrow. Bye-bye.