My almost two year old Granddaughter spends a lot of time thanking God…

She not may be able to write a theological discourse on prayer…

She may not know exactly who she’s talking to when she prays…

But she knows the good things in her life and she wants to say thank you….

She likes bath time…

“Thank you, God… tubby”

She’s just learned to blow bubbles…

“Thank you, God… bubbles”

Elmo is her best friend…

“Thank you, God… Elmo.”

She says a prayer of thanks for everything in her world.

She’s always praying….

Pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

What if we said constant prayers of thanksgiving?

“Thank you, God for a warm house…”

“Thank you, God for a car to drive to work…”

“Thank you for gas to put in the car and money to buy it…”

“Thank you, God for work…”

“Thank you, God for coffee…”

How would we change if we had a constant conversation with God that started with “Thank You?”

Would we become more compassionate, less focused on things and more focused on God Himself?

Would we become more humble?

Would we become kinder?

Would we be more willing to share what comes from God in the first place?

What if we said “Thank you” even in difficult times? 

Job, from whom God had taken everything, said…

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

may the name of the Lord be praised.”  Job 1:21

What about the words we say when we pray?

Do we have to use big words?

Holy Words?

Formal words?

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matthew 6:7

Should we be solemn and dignified when we approach God?

Or should we be like David, who when criticized for dancing before the lord, said..

I will become even more undignified than this… 2 Samuel 6:22

A formula for prayer?

 Perhaps it is simply to pray all the time…

… be constant in prayer.  Romans 12:12

…Continue steadfastly in prayer… Colossians 4:2

And to Listen to what God says…

My sheep hear my voice…John 10:27

That we may be made new…

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Note: this post was first Published in March, 2014