Expressions Of Appreciation
An essential missing ingredient of prayer and humility
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart…Psalm 86:12
This cry of David is a good example for us to remember to be thankful. This is our ‘T’ from the FACTS of Prayer.
Thankfulness - expressive of a benefit received
Appreciation - to recognize a value or quality
Gratitude - a show of being grateful
The Scriptures are full of examples and passages, here are just a few:
And now we thank you, our God…1 Chr 29:13; Jesus declared, “I thank you Father…” Matt 11:25; I thank God in all my remembrance…Phil 1:3; We always thank God…Col 1:3; Oh, give thanks to the Lord…Ps 118:1; and when He had given thanks…Jn 6:11; But thanks be to God who gives us…1 Cor 15:57; giving thanks always…Eph 5:20; give thanks in all circumstances…1 Thes 5:18; Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving…Ps147:7; For what thanksgiving can we return to God…1 Thes 3:9; glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor…Rev 7:12
Just a couple of newsletters ago was the passage from Philippians 4:6 “…with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Why does Paul tell us to offer thanksgiving along with our prayers and supplications?
Perhaps because we would only ask selfishly, that is, we would get that which we ask for but fail to recognize the Source of the answered prayer? Aren’t we also thankful? Do we always express that to our Lord? By closer examination and honest answer, we can likely conclude this aspect of prayers to be among the least often uttered. Do we not have much for which to be thankful? Certainly we do!
We are at least thankful for today, for the rest and the sunrise, for a roof and food, friends or family, for health, strength, breath; we are thankful for music and song, for prayer and answers, for love, joy, and peace. We are most grateful for Jesus, for not treating us as our sins deserve, for giving us what we do not deserve, for calling us and making us His own, for His word, and for ???
When we hold the door for someone or let them in line first, or we compliment them in some way, don’t we usually get thanked? Do we not also express a polite gratitude when someone else does some small thing for us? We would be considered rude, and rightly so, if we did not! How much more appreciation do we owe the One who saved us from our own depravity!
David gave thanks [praised] wholeheartedly, and gave glory to God (Ps 86:12) and the next verse tells us why - For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. (NKJV)
Gratitude is an essential, vital part of prayer. Take time today - and each day, to express thankfulness to God and offer appreciation.
Thankfulness is our acknowledgement of humility to the One who supplied.
Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God
Here are three passages we are praying from this week (one passage per day):
Monday - Eph 5:20
Tuesday - Col 2:6, 7
Wednesday - Ps 100:4
Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?
Until Thursday, grace and peace
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash