Key Bible Verse: O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you (Psalm 63:1). Bonus Reading: Psalm 63:1-8

Many men find it threatening to be truly close and vulnerable with God or with people. Being communicative, understanding, and forgiving is very demanding. Online porn—cheap, quick sex in an artificial relationship—is most men's tool of choice for avoiding the demands and disappointments of real intimacy.

I'd been alone on a study retreat near Mount Lassen in Northern California for three days. That night something stimulated lustful thoughts and the temptation to settle for a quick fix. I laid on my back in the dark, and cried out, "Father, I give myself to you and you alone to meet my deep need for intimacy. Only you satisfy. Come right now and let me experience your deep, unconditional acceptance and embrace of grace."

Until a man recognizes that he'll only be fulfilled with true intimacy, as God had designed for us, he'll stumble from one disappointing pseudo-relationship to another. Don't settle for cheap ink-dot-image substitutes or video screen counterfeits. Every minute of every day God calls you to, and empowers you for, something much better: true self-giving love with him and others.

—Daniel Henderson in Think Before You Look

My Response: I'll pray, seeking a deepening relationship with God that elbows out shallow substitutes.

Thought to Apply: We are meant to be addicted to God, but we develop secondary addictions that temporarily appear to fix our problem. —Edward Berckman (pastor)

Adapted from Think Before You Look (Living Link, 2005) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

I've tried, Lord, to shut out sinful compulsions, but what I really need is an intense hunger for You that will crowd all that out.

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