Prayer and thanksgiving.

Whether it is something we need, or something that would make us feel a little bit more comfortable, we know that if we ask, we may receive.  


Prayers for safe travels, extra income, lost souls, people who hurt physically, we pray for all of it.  


A couple weeks back I had to make the five hour journey to Cheyenne with three of my sisters' young daughters.  When we left the house I noticed that I had 140 miles to empty.  With 120 miles between my house and the next city with a gas station I felt comfortable skipping the stop in my town and decided to stop at the station a couple hours away.  


As we drove I noticed the number of miles to the next town were very comparable to the miles I had to empty.  Had I missed something?  Was the high wind causing me to get different gas mileage?  Whatever was happening, I prayed consistently for the last 36 miles.  Every time the number decreased on my dashboard fuel information, I asked God to help us make it to a gas pump without anyone having to walk or ask for help.


When we finally made it to the nearest pumps we had 6 miles to empty.  I thanked God, and we continued on our journey.  


Seems strange to me how much time and effort and energy I give my Lord when I am close to 'empty', but when things are going smoothly I rarely thank God with the same passion.  1st Thessalonians 5:17 says, 'Pray without ceasing".  Verse 18 says, 'give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.'.   


I want to do that.  I want to pray all the time, and I pretty much do that now.  He has my thoughts most of the time, my constant silent prayer for a variety of  people, and situations that I encounter.   Unfortunately, there are times when I get to worrying in my prayers, and I end up crying out for help without breaking to see and appreciate the situation I might be having.  And sometimes it seems like when that "big" thing has worked out, I forget to do more than give a quick thanks.  


I keep thinking of that old praise tune by Amy Grant, 'Sing Your Praise To The Lord'.  


Sing your praise to the Lord,
Come on everybody,
Stand up and sing...one more
Hallelujah, 
Give your praise to the Lord,
I can never tell you,
Just how much good...that it's
Gonna do ya

Just to sing...anew...
The song your heart first learned to sing when He
First gave His life...to you...
The life goes on and so must the song,
You gotta sing...again...
The song born in your soul when you
First gave your heart...to Him...
Sing His praises, once more

Sing your praise to the Lord,
Come on everybody,
Stand up and sing...one more
Hallelujah,
Give your praise to the Lord,
I can never tell you,
Just how much good...that it's
Gonna do ya

Just to sing...aloud...
The song that someone is dying to hear
Down in the madd'ning crowd...
As you once were before your heard the song,
You gotta let them know...
The truth is a life to shine upon the way,
So maybe they...can go...
Sing His praises, once more

Sing your praise to the Lord,
Come on everybody,
Stand up and sing...one more
Hallelujah,
Give your praise to the Lord,
I can never tell you,
Just how much good...that it's
Gonna do ya

Just to let the name of the Lord...
Be praise, both for now, and evermore,
Praise Him all ye servants,

Give Him praise to the Lord,
Come on everybody,
Stand up and sing...one more
Hallelujah,
Give your praise to the Lord,
I can never tell you,
Just how much good...that it's
Gonna do ya

Just to sing, sing sing...
Come on, sing, sing, sing...
I can hear you now, sing, sing, sing...




We would do well to read the lyrics to this song.   It seems we sometimes get carried away with the situation and we forget how He is not here to accommodate us, but we are here to serve Him.  I can stand to learn to serve Him better.  


Ephesians 5:20  'giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,'


My Lord, my Provider, and my Strength,
I thank you for seeing me through the times when I overreact and worry needlessly.  I ask that You will carry me through my struggles and that the next time I will not be anxious, or insecure.  I ask that You give me the Light to shine for You.  You know my heart Lord, and You alone know all of the things that make me fret.  I trust that You will give me wisdom in these situations, and help me to turn to You in everything.  Lord, I'm so sorry that sometimes I beg for your help and that in the end I give you nothing more than a simple thanks.  You have made so many provisions for me and to not fall to my knees and praise Your Holy Name seems like it would bring You disappointment.  Lord, let me be a glad sight to your eyes.  Keep me close to You, and please continue the good work You started in me.  
T~