Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4

                                                      THANKS!!!

            In reading these verses I am struck by how Paul is not only thankful, but he is specific in his thanksgiving.  What comprises the bulk of your prayer?  For me, much, if not most of my prayer is usually requests!  Don’t get me wrong, of course it is good and right to bring our requests to God.  But after reading this little passage, I decided to try following Paul’s example: being quite specific in my thanksgiving to God.  Can you guess one of the results of doing this?

            Here are a few things that have transpired as I have been doing this:

1. I am looking more closely for how and where I see God working in the person or circumstance I am thinking of and praying for or about.  (It is hard to thank Him for things we don’t think about!)
2. I am appreciating His incredible creation with its interwoven diversity and unity, both in human beings and in all of nature.
3. I am less focused on myself.
4. I am encouraged by His greatness and His ability, in comparison to human power—I am healthfully humbled!
5. I am inspired to press forward into more of His work and truth in my life.

Paul specifically gives thanks for the Thessalonians’ “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”.   They were working out their salvation with fear and trembling.  They were striving to continue in love toward one another in word and deed.  And they were enduring trials and sufferings because they were aiming to stay focused on the joy to come.  Can you see how praying specifically like this for someone else might benefit yourself as well?  I read it, and I think, “Wow, their faith makes a huge difference in how they live their lives….I too want my faith to radically impact how I live. I want my life to proclaim God’s goodness!”  Or I think,  “Hhhmmm, it seems that the way they love goes way beyond mere words—does mine?”   Sometimes I end up thinking, “Hey, I have it pretty good—I could be enduring with a much better attitude.” 

Can you see how this works?  If you aren’t already in the habit, I encourage you to join me in making a concerted effort to pray with thanksgiving, and to be very specific in that thanksgiving.  You may like what happens…

Read and Pray:  Colossians 3:12-17, Philippians 4:4-8, Psalm 100