Prayerful Gratitude

We know from Scripture how much God dislikes grumbling. Grumbling essentially says that we do not believe God is at work in our lives creating good.  Faith on the other hand supplants grumbling.  Hebrews 11:1 says,  “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”   Scripture also says we cannot be pleasing to God without faith.  Perhaps the more reckless abandon we have in our faith (like that of a child) the more likely we are to see the kingdom of heaven at work.  A life of faith is a life of gratitude.

Gratitude tells God that you believe that He is doing the right thing in your life, the best thing, even when it doesn’t feel like it. If you have walked with God very long you know that often the difficult moments in life turn out to be the most beneficial.  Knowing this makes it possible to remain grateful in all situations. Seeing the fruit of difficult times may take years, but this is where “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” comes into play.  We may not be happy about difficult events, but we can retain faith and express gratitude because  the Father will work all things for good.  Faith expressed through patience is a virtue that lets you ride out the storm with an expectancy of seeing God’s good work.

Gratitude to your heavenly Father is often conveyed in prayer.  Prayer is a conversation with God in which you can express your gratitude and the desires of your heart. Praises and gratitude to your Father is in prayer is a form of worship. Gratitude is really a condition of the heart.  If a child of God could live in a state of continuous gratitude he or she would also be living a life of ongoing prayer; he or she would be praying without ceasing.  It must be music to God’s ears when He finds a child expressing continual gratitude.  

Prayerful meditation is a key element to having an ongoing relationship with the Lord.  Take some time today to sit with God and tell him how grateful you are for the people you knew growing up, the moment you met your wife, the birth of your children, the financial means He has provided, and of course for the brothers and sisters in Christ that He has put in your life.  Express gratitude for the past, the present, and the future.  God will never leave you nor forsake you; He will continue to be with you and create good out even the most diffiuclt of circumstances.