Desert Prayers

This is my prayer in the desert
when all that’s within me feels dry.
This is my prayer in my hunger and need.
My God is the God who provides.
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I’ll stand

All of my life, in every season
You are still God, I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve received I will sow

Desert Song – Brooke Fraser ©2008

I love this song. It has always been one of my favorites. Every time I sing it, I’m reminded of how God is present no matter what I’m going through. Not only is God present, but He is actively directing everything in our lives.

We all go through seasons in our lives. Sometimes we go through seasons of prosperity, sometimes through seasons when we feel like we are in a desert. No matter what, through every season, we need to be praising God. We should worship God because He’s God, not because He does anything for us. He always brings us through our trials, but often He teaches us, through the hard times, how to trust Him with our entire being. If we learn to worship Him no matter what is going on or what we are going through, it will be a lot easier to persevere through the hard times. By learning to praise God even in the desert, we learn to expectantly wait for God, even when we feel like we can’t see Him. Waiting expectantly doesn’t mean sitting and waiting for God to fix the problem. It means actively seeking to know God more, looking for Him and His hand in every situation, and actively putting your trust in Him that He is taking care of it.

Another part of praising God through the tough times is learning how to allow God to fill us up in every opportunity. “I know I’m filled to be emptied again, the seed I’ve received I will sow”. One of the prayers I try to remember is something I read a long time ago. It is so true, especially when we are going through a difficult time: “Empty me of me and fill me with You.” By focusing our minds and hearts back on Christ and asking Him to empty us of ourselves, we are better able to worship Him through every situation, in every season. When we are emptied of ourselves, it is impossible to dwell on the hard things we are going through. We can still think and pray about these things, but when we are emptied of ourselves, all the selfish thoughts about our circumstances fade away. Our focus becomes about looking for how God is working through the situation.

“All of my life, in every season, You are still God. I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship.”
God is still God, no matter what is going on. Our difficult times don’t make Him any less God. He has it under control.  Be patient, trust Him, praise Him, and wait expectantly for His plan to unfold. When He brings you through a trial, allow Him to fill you up again, and remember that these times of uncertainty are often God’s way of reminding us of His love, grace, and provision.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7