DISSATISFACTION
Dissatisfaction is the underlying thread of prayer. Dissatisfied of the present situation when benchmarked with the perfect purpose of God. This dissatisfaction will not lead to disillusionment but involvement with the things of God that will one day bring perfection. The theme of every prayer is "How long, Lord?" Those who serve and pray till they die are those who understood the purpose of God and are never satisfied with the present and what has already been done. Those who serve and then step down are those who never really understood why they serve. Most of time is for formality sake. It is a Christian thing to do. They have only the past to talk about and nothing much for the present.
Giving of thanks is just one aspect of prayer. It is not to be an end in itself but rather a means to an end. We thank God for the progress made so far and it is good but the best or perfection is yet to come. The reason why prayer life is lacking in individual Christians or collectively as a Church is because they are satisfied with life. They settle for what is good rather than what is the best. They are either ignorant of or negligent to the perfect purpose of God. The lifestyle of a Christian will reveal what captive his/her heart.
Where is the phrase "How long" in regard to prayer found in the Bible? It can be found within one year if one makes the point to finish the Bible with that time frame. When the whole Bible is read, one will find all the prayers have a constant theme - "Dissatisfaction"
How Long
by Stuart Townend
We have sung our songs of victory
We have prayed to You for rain
We have cried Your compassion
To renew the land again
Now we're standing in Your presence
More hungry than before
Now we're on Your steps of mercy and we're knocking at Your door
How long
Before You drench the barren land
How long
Before we see Your righteous hand
How long
Before Your name is lifted high
How long
Before the weeping turns to songs of joy
Lord, we know Your heart is broken
By the evil that You see
And You've stayed Your hand of judgment
For Your plan to set men free
But the land is still in darkness
And we've fled from what is right
And we've failed the silent children
Who will never see the light
But I know a day is coming
When the deaf will hear his voice
When the blind will see the Savior
And the lame will leap for joy
When a widow finds a husband
Who will always love his bride
And the orphan finds a father
Who will never leave her side
How long
Before Your glory lights the skies
How long
Before Your radiance lifts our eyes
How long
Before Your fragrance fills the air
How long
Before the earth resounds with songs of joy
