We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you . . . Colossians 1:3
Do you always thank God in your prayers? When you are praying for a loved one who is ill or is going through a rough time, or when you are praying for God to lead you to the best decision or down the right path, or when you are praying for the officials that we elect, or when you are praying for the victims of disaster, do you tell God how thankful you are first and foremost? Or do you go straight into your laundry list of wants and needs?
Saying thank you is more than exhibiting the proper politeness our mothers taught us. It is acknowledging that someone other than yourself has done something for you. And who better to acknowledge His work in our lives than the Lord we serve? It is not that God needs to be thanked, it is more that we need to do the thanking. In times of uncertainty, lack of control or fretting, it is good to remind ourselves of God’s past blessings in our lives or in the lives of those we love. He came through before, He will again because He love us that deeply – that’s His promise. Otherwise, His death and resurrection would lose its powerful message and be reduced to just an extraordinary event, wouldn’t it?
So, they next time you go to God, spend some time thanking Him. It will improve your attitude and your prayers. It will open your heart to receive His guidance, comfort and mercy. Saying thanks helps us to see His power as well as our need to have Him in our lives. It puts us in our place and places Him in charge. It helps us to realize His love for us and gives us hope.
But, before you get off your knees, stop. Be sure to listen for God’s “Your welcome.” Listen to His response. It just may be the answer or assurance you have been seeking.
