In what has been a wet, cold and long winter for these parts it may seem strange to read about thirsting for water.

Such an image seems more fitting for an article that might be at some time in the future-say July or August. But, as is often the case, our logic is not always the linchpin for biblical texts assigned to the seasons of the church year.

And, too, we ought remember that when it comes to the kingdom of God, everything doesn’t revolve around our American calendar or seasons. After all, for our Australian brothers and sisters, the cry for deliverance from thirst may very well be what is needed!

With all of that in mind, I bring your attention to one of the selected prayers for the Third Sunday in Lent as prescribed in “The Book of Common Worship.” The prayer finds its roots in the 63rd Psalm. It is the prayer I read as a part of my morning devotion in the office. The prayer is as follows:

“O God, the fountain of life, to a humanity parched with thirst you offer the living water of grace which springs up from the rock, our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant your people the gift of your Spirit, that we may learn to profess our faith with courage and announce with joy the wonder of your love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.”

I’m not going to insult you by telling you what to think about this prayer, how to interpret it, or how to apply it to your life.

I suspect that each one reading this will be affected, if at all, in a different way. Each of us feels the need for relief from the parched and of human existence according to what is going on in our lives of those closest to us.

What I want you to hear from this prayer is the common lot of the human existence.

The community created by the gift of God’s Spirit is our greatest ally. Our greatest joy. Together we can quench each other’s thirsts. Together we can overcome any obstacle.

Together we can tackle a problem. Together we can accomplish what God calls for us to accomplish.