Thank Me Frequently

THANK ME FREQUENTLY as you Journey through today.  This practice makes it possible to pray without ceasing, as the apostle Paul taught.  If you are serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank Me in every situation.  These thankful prayers provide a solid foundation on which you can build all your other prayers.  Moreover, a grateful attitude makes it easier for you to communicate with Me.

When your mind is occupied with thanking Me, you have no time for worrying or complaining.  If you practice thankfulness consistently, negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker.  Draw near to Me with a grateful heart, and My Presence will fill you with Joy and Peace.

Bible Verses:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

James 4:8
⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Romans 15:13
¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Young, Sarah. Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence: Devotions for Every Day of the Year. Nashville: Integrity, 2004. Print.

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Thankfulness

Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity.  That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything.  There is an element of mystery in this transaction:  You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances).  This is a spiritual act of obedience – at times, blind obedience.  To people who don’t know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me or heartrending hardships.  Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain.

Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts.  You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective.  It is the Light of My presence that removes the sting from adversity.

Bible Verses:

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

Psalm 118
¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Psalm 89:15
¹⁵ Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

Young, Sarah. Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence: Devotions for Every Day of the Year. Nashville: Integrity, 2004. Print.