PL 100 Word of Encouragement - Prayers of Thankfulness

The prayers of thankfulness can be seen as entrance prayers; like opening the door to more of God. It is coming to God with an attitude of gratitude for who He is, what He has done and what He will do. The prayers of thankfulness will help us to keep a proper perspective in our prayer life. With thankfulness in our hearts, we will not to be so demanding of God, we can be less worrying in our prayers and be more able to be excited about all that God is doing and will do for us.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1)

Being thankful in our prayers also will help us to keep our mind on God and His goodness and allow our thoughts and prayers to go to the needs of others. Al Miller, our pastor in Jamaica, would many times remind us that there are always more things going right in a Christian’s life than going wrong.

As I was preparing this PrayerLinks, I read an article about ways to help us energize ourselves. One of the suggestions was to count our blessings out loud (this was not even a Christian publication!) The article went on to tell us that the body responds to the things our brain tells us. But then we already understand that from scripture I believe. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 (see also Proverbs 14:30, Proverbs 15:13)

* Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

* Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)

* Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

* 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him -- and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:11-19)

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS

· We are so thankful that God is faithful to lead us and guide us in the way forward for us. Sometimes we would like to know more and a bit further ahead, but we have learned to trust Him. We are not sure of all the purposes of God for us in this time and with this move, but we are confident of His faithfulness in our lives.

May God Bless you,

Jim and Jean Stephens

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Jim and Jean Stephens
Resource Ministries International
P.O. Box 7096
Bend, OR 97708 USA
Phone 541-389-7155
resource@resourceministries.org