As Parched Land Thirsts For Rain

[S] Psalm 143:6 --
    ⁶I stretch out my hands to You;
         My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah.

[O] This passage reminds me of a story where a seminarian went to his professor and asked:  Would you teach me the right way to pray to God?  The professor asked the student to follow him down to the swimming pool and he suddenly pushed him into the pool.  The surprised student came up and grabbed the side of the pool to get out when the professor grabbed his head and pushed him down under water and kept it there for a few seconds and then let go.  The surely-surprised and angry student finally came out of the pool and challenged the professor what was that all about.  The professor calmly explained:  That's how you should pray to God -- in total desperation just like how you were trying to get some air.  I wonder how desperate I am seeking God.  Is my soul longing for Him as a parched land?  In NLT version it says: I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.  Many times, I don't realize how parched my soul is and so not desperate for the refreshing rain from God.

[A] Stretch out my hands to God and seek the refreshing rain of His sweet Spirit to quench the thirst of my soul every day.  This definitely includes doing the devotions, but also the fact of realizing how dried up my soul is and to request His rain to fall on me.

[P] Dear God, rain on me with Your quenching Spirit today.  May my soul be rejuvenated with the refreshing power from You above.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.