A couple of years ago, I read a prophetic vision posted on Facebook by a gentleman named Bill Yount. In the vision, he saw our prayers ascending to heaven in envelopes, as if they were letters. However, he then saw many of them descending back to earth, unopened and marked “return to sender.” Why? They didn’t have the proper postage. I was intrigued. What kind of postage would prayers need? According to the vision, they were missing the stamp of “thankfulness
This vision/word picture marked me. How many times do I vent my issues to the Lord and expect His answers but yet never thank Him in the same conversation for His goodness? How often do I take the time to thank Him for what is happening in my life? Or are my prayer times only saturated with petitions and complaints?
Here’s how the psalmist instructs us:
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him,
and bless his name. Psalm 100:4
Here’s how I read this verse:
Thanksgiving and praise are a gateway to encountering our good Father.
On this Thanksgiving day, I would like to encourage all of us to choose thankfulness as a lifestyle, whether we are petitioning the Lord on behalf of those around us or pondering the gift of waking up to find God’s mercies renewed for us today. I don’t know the pain and hurt that darkens your holiday season. You may be experiencing the most challenging trial you have ever endured. I have learned over the years that thanksgiving is a choice,
just like love,
just like forgiveness.
For what or for whom are you thankful today? Take the next minute and give thanks to God for five things and/or people. Let's walk through that gateway into His magnificent presence. He is waiting.
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