Scripture: Psalm 107:8 – “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.”
At this time of year, we think about the things for which we are thankful. And we look around and see our family and our world and think about how grateful we are for them. Those of faith thank God for all their blessings. This thankfulness helps us recognize God’s presence in our lives and helps us to gain perspective when we are overwhelmed by the parts of life that are, shall we say, less easy to appreciate.
The thing about prayer is that while it is focused on God, it is mostly for our benefit. God knows our love, God knows what we need. So too does God know our thanks, for all the things we notice and perhaps for all the things that we do not notice. God created a universe whereby there are cosmic laws that allow for life to be possible. Our planet is set in just the right distance from the sun to allow for water to stay liquid and our strange moon is just the right size and distance to allow a regulation of the tides. Without these things, life would not be possible. So whenever we breath in, or take a drink of water, or feel the air on our skin or our blood pumping though our veins, we are unconsciously taking place in God’s bounty. And just as our lungs breathe and our hearts pump without active thought, so to do the functions of our cells continually cry out in thanksgiving to the God who created them.
In fact, there is so much for which we can be thankful, that we could spend our entire lives trying to list it all. But God knows our loves, our needs, and our thanksgiving. And as we seek to find greater relationship with God and through that relationship become kinder and more righteous, we can be thankful for this reality and find the strength to face all the challenges of our lives. The moments we spend in thanksgiving will remind us that we are never alone.
Prayer – God, your majesty is beyond our understanding, but our love is never beyond our appreciation. Thank you. Amen.
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