I’m trying to be more thankful.

The Psalms are full of thankfulness. Paul’s letters are full of thankfulness. My prayers, however, often lack thankfulness. I’m quick to express my needs and desires to God, laying my cares before him and requesting his guidance and help. But I forget to thank him for all that he’s already done and is now doing. I want to be better at this, however.

When we thank him, praising him for what he’s already done, we grow humble, realizing that he is behind every good and perfect gift we’ve been given (James 1:16-18). We also gain perspective as we see our great need and his great sufficiency. We can’t easily claim independence or control when we consider his sovereignty and love for us.

This week, consider starting your prayers with thanksgiving, worshipping the Lord for who he is and for what he’s done before laying requests before him. Take a moment to remember all that he’s already done, trusting his promises for good even when we can’t see how he’s working. And may we learn to live in gratitude.

P.S.

Thank you all so much for being so supportive of the poetry book! I really can’t express my gratitude enough to you all. I pray you are encouraged by the words.

To the praise of his glory,

Joe