Hello siblings
You may have realized that Paul believed in the power of prayer. This wasn’t accidental, as he’d proven its worth before. In another epistle, Paul’s exhortation is to prayer with thanksgiving. This is the core of our reflection today. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Colossians 4:2 NIV
[2] Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Thankful in Prayer
Recently, I heard of someone who intently and steadfastly peritioned God, inviting intervention in a situation. Yet, despite the numerous and intense prayer sessions, the person had identified contingency plans, just in case … Somehow, the contingency plans seemed to me to reflect a lack of trust in God. While lack of trust isn’t necessity about being thankful, I believe that it has the potential to shift our perspective and our prayers.
Self-Check
Is there scope for thankfulness in our prayer?
Application
When we see thankfulness as a mindset, it allows us to see God’s hand in the situation rather than stay focused on our dire circumstances. In so doing, we are able to find that supernatural peace that transcends anxiety. Thanksgiving also removes the burden of solution-finding from us and places it on the One Who already has all the answers.
Does thankfulness mean we have no troubles?
Absolutely not!
Rather, it says, ‘Lord, I know that You know what is best for me, not only now … but more so, my future.’ Praying thankfully also says, ‘Because I don’t have the wherewithal to change my future, I appreciate all that God can and will do to effect the changes needed. Because God can do it all and will work it for our good.’
When Paul chose to remain watchful, steadfast, and thankful in prison, the praise session literally opened doors for him and all present. And though some of those jailed might have been legitimately convicted, no one tried to escape. The others wanted to see what God would do. Everyone was impacted by what God did.
Thankfulness doesn’t need to secondguess God in the story. Instead, it places God as our life’s Narrator and yields to God’s good design. Thankfulness shifts our disposition. It takes us from anxiety to joy because we know God will work things out.
Point to Ponder
How might we ensure that we are steadfast, watchful, and thankful whenever we pray?
—
May all we seek be found in Christ
