First of all, give thanks—Part 3
For the last two days I have posted excerpts from my book, First of All, Pray. Today I’ll conclude the portion on this one powerful way to pray—the giving of thanks.
Excerpt from Chapter 1:
A Warning Concerning Thanklessness
“It is absolutely essential that you maintain an attitude of thankfulness. Romans 1:21-23 delivers a clear warning: ‘For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures’ (emphasis added).
“What is the outcome if you believe in God yet neglect to give thanks to Him? You gravitate toward anything except Him! You become futile in your speculations and your heart becomes darkened. Without realizing it, you start worshiping material things and slide into folly. The Word says you become good for nothing, self-serving, and ignorant of your own dangerous stupidity. On the other hand, when you cultivate a thankful heart, you protect yourself from falling into the foolishness of self-absorption and delusion. Indeed, gratefulness surrounds you with a deception-resistant shield.
“The challenge in 1 Timothy 2:1 is to offer thanksgiving to God even when you are praying for someone with whom you have fundamental disagreement. If you incorporate thanksgiving into all of your prayers, then the grace of God will meet and overtake you in your endeavors. Thanksgiving: don’t let yourself pray without it!” (Excerpt taken from pages 23-24; First of All, Pray: Prescription for a Nation in Crisis; © 2013–Dorothy Frick)
Hope you had a happy Turkey Day, and may your thanksgiving to the Lord be glorious!
Dorothy
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105:1