A THANKSGIVING PRAYER GOD MIGHT RARELY HEAR

Cindi McMenamin, Author While we tend to look forward to Thanksgiving because it usually means a four-day holiday, getting together with family, and eating more food than we have all year, it is my sincere desire that it be more meaningful this year. What if Thanksgiving were the one day in which we over-emphasized what should be on our hearts every day of the year: a heart of gratitude in everything? God clearly spelled out His good and perfect will for us in First Thessalonians 5:18 when He inspired the Apostle Paul to write: “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Did you catch that? In everything. In the good times, as well as the bad. In the pleasantries of life, as well as in the pain. During difficult times, trying times and frustrating times, too. I got to thinking about how Thanksgiving might be so much more meaningful if I focused on thanking God for the things He rarely hears thanks for. Try this with me this year. Thank Him, not just for the food on the table before you partake, and the “blessings for this past year” but for all the ways He has not performed according to your liking. For all the times He has said “no” and for all the ways He has worked in and through your life, perhaps without you knowing it. Thank Him for all the unresolved issues and the ways you are still waiting for answers. Thank Him—regardless—and see what it does for your soul as you offer Him a heart of obedience and surrender this year. Thank Him—regardless—and see how it moves the others who are around your table. Consider praying this prayer around your table on Thanksgiving: Thank you, God, for this food we are about to eat. And thank You for Your many blessings on usthis past year…the ones we’ve seen, as well as the ones we haven’t seen. Thank you, God for the times You have said “no.” They have helped us depend on You so muchmore. Thank you, God, for unanswered prayer. It reminds us that You know what’s best for us, even when our opinion differs. Thank You for the things you have withheld. You have protected us from what we may neverrealize. Thank You, God, for the doors You have closed. They have prevented us from going where Youwould rather not have us go. Thank you, Lord, for the physical pain You’ve allowed in our lives. It has helped us more closelyrelate to Your sufferings on our behalf. Thank you, Lord, for the alone times in our lives. Those times have forced us to lean in closer toYou. Thank you, God, for the uncertainties we’ve experienced. They have deepened our trust in You. Thank You, Lord, for the times You came through for us when we didn’t even know we needed a rescue. Thank You, Lord, for the losses we have experienced. They have been a reminder that You are our greatest gain. Thank You, God, for the tears we have shed. They have kept our hearts soft and moldable. Thank You, God, for the times we haven’t been able to control our circumstances. They havereminded us that You are sovereign and on the throne. Thank You, God, for Your ability to take what we consider ‘tragedy’ and turn it into a treasure. Thank You, God, for those You have called home to be with You. Their absence from this earth reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on heaven. ◄ Previous Page Next Page ► Page 1 Page 2 Whole Article http://www.christianity.com/christian-life/prayer/a-thanksgiving-prayer-that-god-might-rarely-hear.html