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What are you thankful for?

A devotion for Thanksgiving

I was thinking the other day, we all are truly living in unprecedented times. As I reflected, I thought about how I am responding to this period in my life. It’s important we are thankful because everything we have belongs to God. 

We are living in a world that is dealing with a pandemic, excessive wildfires, child and family abuse, senior neglect and earthquakes to name just a few. 

If we are not careful, we can easily get caught up in responding negatively or positively to all that is occurring while forgetting to be thankful for all the Lord has done for us. Part of being thankful is being prayerful, not just for ourselves but for others as well.

Additionally, prayer is one of the most valuable vehicles we can ever ride in. It will usher us into the presence of God. Someone once said, “It’s the best Uber ride you will ever take.” We just need to call on his name (Jesus)!

Prayer is a place where we can go boldly before the throne room of God and make our petition known unto him. In your heart, what are you thanking him for today?

Luke 18:1 says, “Then he spoke a parable to them, that they always ought to pray and not lose heart.” Or to say it another way, we should always be Ubering to God.

In the midst of being thankful, it's important to remember that thankfulness is not a substitute for prayer. The two go hand in hand. Remember there are people hurting all around us. 

There are countless opportunities to pray:

  • Being thankful lets us know he is our source.
  • Being prayerful demonstrates our dependence on him.
  • Being sensitive to the spirit allows us to hear from him and be used by him.
  • Let our actions see him during this season of thankfulness and prayerfulness, for it confirms our commitment to him above all else.

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Written by Henry Jackson, senior vice president of Buckner Children and Family Services.

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