Psalm 26:7 — “That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all Your wonders.”
In the book The Cross and the Switchblade, David Wilkerson shares a simple but life shaping practice he learned during the season of preparation before God sent him to New York City to minister to teenage gang members. He prayed prayers of thanksgiving. He would deliberately set aside time to thank God for every good thing the Lord had done in his life. No requests. No petitions. Just gratitude.
That small portion of the book marked me deeply. Even today, there are moments in prayer when I choose to do nothing but thank God. And when I begin to speak out my gratitude, I often find myself humbled by how present, attentive, and involved God has been throughout my life.
King David understood this spiritual principle. He was never ashamed to lift his voice and give thanks for the wonders and miracles God performed on his behalf. Thanksgiving was not a formality for him. It was a lifestyle.
As we move toward Thanksgiving Day, I want to challenge you: Be intentional this week!
Take time to sit down and write a list of the good things in your life both big and small. Then bring that list to God in prayer, thanking Him item by item. Make thanksgiving a practice, not just a holiday theme.
And if you feel led, I’d love for you to share with me what happened in those moments of prayer.
What did you experience?
What did you notice?
Did anything shift inside you?
If we slow down long enough, every one of us could create a list that would take an hour or more to voice before the Lord. My hope is that as you practice intentional thanksgiving, that your affection for Him will deepen and your awareness of His goodness will grow.
May His grace, mercy, and peace keep you in all things.
Pastor Lu