7 Prayers That Work

Dear Lord, How great is your love! How numerous are your blessings! There are too many to count. But this month, I counted 30 simple blessings. They were: old friends the Psalms autumn weather computer files literature the theater an evening at home kind strangers a surprise visit from my son a sunny day veterans sunsets letters from friends chocolate and peanut butter memories small children my church fall colors the ability to buy want I want and need my sons coming home my country's heritage my future daughter-in-law sleeping in antiques not working on Mondays my students Thanksgiving decorations Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends online shopping Christmas decorations You are so good. All the time. In the little things and the big things. I love you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Psalm 100  Shout for joy  to the  Lord , all the earth. 2  Worship the  Lord  with gladness; come before him  with joyfu...

Dear Lord, Thank you for all the beautiful, ordinary blessings that are not so ordinary. Thank you for my home (which has issues), my vehicles (even when they don't work), my food (even when I complain about cooking), my family (even though I take them for granted). I am so blessed. Thank you for my country (even though it angers me), my freedoms (even though I complain about not having more), my work (even though I want more and want to be more). You have blessed me beyond measure. My world is gorgeous, and I live in it. My home is loving, and I live in it. My dreams are attainable, and I live them. Why do I forget how blessed I am? To whom much is given, much is required . Everything I have is yours, and it's all extra. Lord, teach me to number my blessings, as well as my days. Amen.

You can't fake a thankful heart, even if you say "thank you" or send a "thank you" note, (which, by the way, is still an excellent idea, even in the age of technology). Thankfulness permeates why you do things and how you do them. It emanates from a spirit of contentment rather than entitlement. Thankfulness makes statements like-- "You are so thoughtful!" "I can't believe you did that!" "You make me feel so special!" "I'm the luckiest guy in the world!" Thankfulness and humility go hand-in-hand. They expect nothing, appreciate everything, and value everyone. Thankfulness comes from the heart, creating pure joy. Col. 2:6-7--" So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,  continue to live your lives in him,   rooted  and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,  and overflowing with thankfulness." image by   edinboroonline.com

Praise is a curious and unique activity. Flattery puffs you up. Thankfulness warms you up. But praise makes you look up. Praise provides the groundwork for all prayers, whether requests for deliverance or confession of wrongful actions. Without praise, I all too easily look past God's authority and grace, and I only see the answers I'm hoping I'll get. Without praise, my prayers are nothing more than "Honey-do" lists for the spiritual genie in the sky. Without praise, I lose perspective of whom I am and who God is, the Creator and Sustainer of Life. The Author and Finisher of my faith. The Great I AM. Think on that for a second. (I bet you will begin praising Him!) Choose from this little checklist for suggestions on how to praise God: Describe God's character Affirm God's intentions toward you Express your love for God Count the blessings God is already providing for you Remember God's past faithfulness Express your faith in God, regar...