Prayer and Thanksgiving

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Thanksgiving is a substantial aid to prayer while passing through opposition and hindrances. “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)). “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:22Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2)). How often when the well of prayer seems dried, thanksgiving will cause the stream to flow! The recollection of mercies received and blessings in possession refreshes the soul, begets the sense that we are in communion with a giving God, and imparts new courage to approach Him with our requests. How many answers are received to prayers gone by, which are not recognized as answers, because in the interval the very prayers that were made are forgotten! Thus the opportunity for praise and thanksgiving is lost to the soul, a loss of happy and profitable exercise. Besides that, it is a failure in what is becoming towards God. Is it a fit thing to receive a gift and not return thanks? Between man and man it is a breach of manners, and God takes notice of such failure towards Him, as evidenced from the case of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-1911And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. (Luke 17:11‑19)). Only one of the ten who had been cleansed returned to give thanks, and how touching is the comment of the Lord! “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger”! God looks for our gratitude, and that not only in the heart, but the positive expression of it, and He desires expression too, not merely in a general way, but clearly as to definite instances. Praise “is pleasant; and praise is comely” (Psa. 147:11Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. (Psalm 147:1)). A thankful soul is a happy soul. We can never get into circumstances where we have not cause for thanksgiving, and thanksgiving naturally leads to prayer.
Christian Treasury (adapted)