“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV)
I have been making a special effort to say “thanks” to God for every special blessing He has in store for me…before I see or realize the blessing. I read a phrase not too long ago that stuck in my mind and has given me so much inspiration…..”Before we ask you for anything we want to thank you for everything.” Not only should I give Him thanks after an answered prayer or blessing, it nourishes my faith to thank Him beforehand, because my faith sees God for who He is before He has to prove it or show me! I’ve always been very thankful to God for what He has done in my life, and prayed for His guidance and direction for what He will do, but to be thankful in advance for how He is going to work all things together for my good gives me the assurance that I need every day that He wants to give me what is best; His good and perfect will.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12)
Do you ever wake up in the morning feeling truly thankful and announcing it out loud? It is contagious, and creates an atmosphere that is more positive for not only me, but those around me. It makes me a more likable and uplifting person to be around! But many times we wake up thinking about everything we have to get done that day, or worried about something or someone and feeling overwhelmed. This can create a negative mindset from the very start of our day and be contagious to those around us. So what if we started to be thankful for just one thing every time we wake up in the morning? When our hearts and minds are open to receive, our actions and outlook begin to change, and we open ourselves up to appreciate and accept every blessing with grace and sincere appreciation. So now when I wake up in the morning, not only am I making an effort to be thankful for that which has already been given to me, but in addition, thanking God for what He has in store for me! The Bible says that, “it is because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness.”(Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV) Let's offer thanksgiving to God in advance for what He is going to do and for the prayers yet to be answered. :)
“When you thank God in advance for that which you choose to experience in your reality, you, in effect, acknowledge that it is there. Thankfulness is thus the most powerful statement to God; an affirmation that even before you ask, He has answered. Therefore, never supplicate. Appreciate.” (Neale Donald Walsch in Conversations With God, Book I)
Linking up with Tracy from "My Daily Walk In His Grace" on Winsome Wednesday! :)
Hi Denise - this is a great and encouraging post. I just said on another blog how when I make the effort to thank God first in prayer, my 'list' seems to evaporate. Thank you, special lady, for linking up with me. I appreciate it
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
I so enjoy your posts and wisdom. Thank You for your excellent bloggy example! You inspire me! Dawn
ReplyDeleteHI Denise ~ Great post. I'm going to make the effort, first thing everyday, to thank God for at least one thing. Thanks for the encouragement today.
ReplyDeleteBlessings...Chelle
Denise:
ReplyDeleteI found a link to your blog on Dawn's. I like what you say here.
Denise,
ReplyDeleteI love this, I especially love the part where you wrote about unanswered prayer, sometimes the greatest blessings come through unanswered prayer. When I thank God for everything I tend to have a more grateful attitude.
Blessings to you Denise.
What a beautiful and inspiring post! Hugs! ♥
ReplyDeleteUnanswered prayer is hard. But God hears our prayers. Praising Him for what He WILL do is an amazing thought. I'm copying the "Before I ask you for anything I want to praise you for everything." I do try to praise before asking but saying these words make me realize I don't spend enough time in praise. This is just what I needed today.
ReplyDeleteDenise, this gave me much to think about. I love the idea of waking up and having thanks to God be the first thing to enter my mind and to come from my mouth.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers for my Uncle Butch. It means so much to me.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Pam from 2Encourage.blogspot.com
Amen! What a great post! Yep, every day, I must surrender my worries and cares and walk in His path. And, you know what? His path always leads to hope, new learning and more faith. Pass the blessings forward!~Cynthia
ReplyDelete