ACTS: A Way to Pray, Focus - Thanksgiving

Thursday, January 6

ACTS: A Way to Pray

Focus: Thanksgiving

Luke 17: 15-18

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

The first two elements in ACTS are “ADORATION” and “CONFESSION”. The practice of beginning our prayers praising and worshiping God for who He is followed by confessing to our Heavenly for that which we have done or not done paves the wave for “THANKSGIVING” because each element makes us more aware of what we are thankful for.

One of my favorite quotes is “It is not joy that makes us grateful but gratitude that makes us joyful.” Sisters, it is a thankful heart that cultivates a joyful heart. I encourage you to write down some things today (and everyday) in your journal that you are thankful for. Here is a list that may help you get started.

- Thank Him for the BIG things like salvation, the forgiveness of your sins, and life eternal through Jesus. (In the ACTS method, you will have just confessed your sins so this is a logical way to segue into THANKSGIVING.)

- Thank Him for the basic things like food, shelter, clothing, provision, and health

- Thank Him for the relationships with your family and friends

- Thank Him for the little things like the sunrise/sunset, blooming flowers, spring rain showers, a softly fallen snow

- Thank Him for the seemingly miraculous things like the unexpected or unexplainable circumstances and opportunities (Godwinks) where He reveals Himself to you.

Making a list showing gratitude for all that God has done may seem easy at first. But this practice is so much more than just going down a list and thanking Him for all the great things He has done. Scripture is very clear about being grateful. We are told in I Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; --for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Notice that we are not directed in this verse to be thankful for the good things in our life, but in ALL things. We are called to be thankful for EVERTYHING – the good, the bad, the ugly. So, we do need to add to our thankful list those things that are struggles. This is not easy, but when we make it a practice to thank God for ALL the things in our life – our perspective changes and we learn to trust Him more knowing that He has a plan for us! He will never leave or forsake us.

I am confident of this, Sisters, a grateful heart pleases the Lord. So today and everyday, let’s lift our hearts in praise for the little things, the BIG things, the great things, and even the challenging things!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Oh, how GREAT You are! I lift my hands in praise and worship to You because You are worthy of all honor. I adore you. Lord please forgive me of my sins – for those things that I do that break your heart as well as those things that I neglect to do that You’re calling me toward. Lord, I thank you for the forgiveness and salvation through Jesus. I thank You for all the blessings in my life – the BIG ones and the little ones. Lord, I am even grateful for the challenging times and the fact that You are always with me, drawing me near. Lord, I ask you to use me today for Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, and for the Father’s glory, Amen.