Prayer Station 5
Give thanks for the good.
It amazes me that Jesus healed ten lepers from their dreaded disease and only one returned to thank Him (Luke 17: 11-19). Leprosy is described as a chronic, curable infectious disease, mainly causing skin lesions and nerve damage. (Disclaimer: It is curable now, with anti-biotics, but not in Jesus’ time.) It can last for years or for a life-time. In Jesus time lepers were often disfigured as their flesh was eaten away by the disease. People avoided lepers and feared the disease. So, it was a big deal to be healed. Yet, only one cured man returned to thank Him. While that seems unbelievable to me, I wonder how often I fail to thank Him for what he has done in my life.
The same is true of the Israelites. In Exodus 13 and 14 we see that God parted the Red Sea and saved them from Pharaoh’s army. Yet, in no time they were grumbling in the desert.
Give thanks for the unpleasant.
The Bible even tells us to give thanks for the things that don’t seem so great.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5: 18
When I think of this scripture I always think of a story about Corrie ten Boom. In WW II, she and her family hid Jews in Holland during the Nazi Occupation. Ultimately, many in her family were sent to Concentration Camps for helping Jews. When she and her sister Betsie were in Auschwitz, Betsie once insisted that they pray thanking God for the fleas that had infiltrated the straw mats in their barracks. Corrie resisted, but Betsie finally persuaded her based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 18. Corrie later learned that the nightly Bible studies held for other inmates had been possible because the guards refused to go into their barracks, due to the fleas.
It is difficult to thank God for unpleasant circumstances in life, but the Bible is clear on this point. God knows what is best for us and gave us the instruction manual (the Bible) to follow. We just need to follow it. If you, like me, still grumble at some of your life’s circumstances, read the story of Balaam and the talking donkey (Numbers 22: 21-39). You might come to appreciate the occasional flat tire or dead battery.
Give thanks.
Studies have proven that being thankful and recognizing it improves our mental health. We can always use that, but especially right now. Remember these words by Max Lacado: “What if you woke up this morning and had only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3: 15-17
Give thanks for others and share with them what God has done.
Do something for others. Goodness will overflow if all God’s people will maintain a spirit of thankfulness.
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” -
2 Corinthians 4: 15 (NIV)
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” –
2 Corinthians 9: 11-12
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4: 4-5
Like the healed leper, we should return to thank God daily and share what He has done for us with others.
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” – 1 Chronicles 16: 8
Share with others and pray for others, especially our leaders and our church leaders. This is a time of tough decisions for church leaders and civic leaders alike. It can’t be easy for them.
“ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” –Ephesians 1: 15-17
https://www.corydonmissionarybaptistchurch.com/
List things for which you are thankful to God. List things you appreciate in others. Thank God for these things. Most importantly thank God for our leaders, health care heroes, and first responders. Thank Him for your family, friends, and church family. Even thank God for covid-19. Tough to do, but it’s biblical.
If you have never given your life to Christ follow this link and/or call the church and speak with the pastor. ***If you are a Christian, take a moment to recall the person, or persons, who was/were instrumental in bringing you to a saving Grace in Jesus Christ. If that person is still living, pray for him/her. If not, thank God for that person.
Also, remember YOUR role in reaching others for Christ. We have that responsibility. Ray Boltz song suggested below will reinforce your desire to reach out to others.
It amazes me that Jesus healed ten lepers from their dreaded disease and only one returned to thank Him (Luke 17: 11-19). Leprosy is described as a chronic, curable infectious disease, mainly causing skin lesions and nerve damage. (Disclaimer: It is curable now, with anti-biotics, but not in Jesus’ time.) It can last for years or for a life-time. In Jesus time lepers were often disfigured as their flesh was eaten away by the disease. People avoided lepers and feared the disease. So, it was a big deal to be healed. Yet, only one cured man returned to thank Him. While that seems unbelievable to me, I wonder how often I fail to thank Him for what he has done in my life.
The same is true of the Israelites. In Exodus 13 and 14 we see that God parted the Red Sea and saved them from Pharaoh’s army. Yet, in no time they were grumbling in the desert.
Give thanks for the unpleasant.
The Bible even tells us to give thanks for the things that don’t seem so great.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5: 18
When I think of this scripture I always think of a story about Corrie ten Boom. In WW II, she and her family hid Jews in Holland during the Nazi Occupation. Ultimately, many in her family were sent to Concentration Camps for helping Jews. When she and her sister Betsie were in Auschwitz, Betsie once insisted that they pray thanking God for the fleas that had infiltrated the straw mats in their barracks. Corrie resisted, but Betsie finally persuaded her based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 18. Corrie later learned that the nightly Bible studies held for other inmates had been possible because the guards refused to go into their barracks, due to the fleas.
It is difficult to thank God for unpleasant circumstances in life, but the Bible is clear on this point. God knows what is best for us and gave us the instruction manual (the Bible) to follow. We just need to follow it. If you, like me, still grumble at some of your life’s circumstances, read the story of Balaam and the talking donkey (Numbers 22: 21-39). You might come to appreciate the occasional flat tire or dead battery.
Give thanks.
Studies have proven that being thankful and recognizing it improves our mental health. We can always use that, but especially right now. Remember these words by Max Lacado: “What if you woke up this morning and had only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3: 15-17
Give thanks for others and share with them what God has done.
Do something for others. Goodness will overflow if all God’s people will maintain a spirit of thankfulness.
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” -
2 Corinthians 4: 15 (NIV)
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” –
2 Corinthians 9: 11-12
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4: 4-5
Like the healed leper, we should return to thank God daily and share what He has done for us with others.
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” – 1 Chronicles 16: 8
Share with others and pray for others, especially our leaders and our church leaders. This is a time of tough decisions for church leaders and civic leaders alike. It can’t be easy for them.
“ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” –Ephesians 1: 15-17
https://www.corydonmissionarybaptistchurch.com/
List things for which you are thankful to God. List things you appreciate in others. Thank God for these things. Most importantly thank God for our leaders, health care heroes, and first responders. Thank Him for your family, friends, and church family. Even thank God for covid-19. Tough to do, but it’s biblical.
If you have never given your life to Christ follow this link and/or call the church and speak with the pastor. ***If you are a Christian, take a moment to recall the person, or persons, who was/were instrumental in bringing you to a saving Grace in Jesus Christ. If that person is still living, pray for him/her. If not, thank God for that person.
Also, remember YOUR role in reaching others for Christ. We have that responsibility. Ray Boltz song suggested below will reinforce your desire to reach out to others.
Musical Praise Ideas - Songs Concerning Thanksgiving
Follow the link below to hear/see the music video, “Worthy Is the Lamb,” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAplJ0_jDFc
Follow the link below to hear/see the music video, “Give Thanks,” by Don Moen / Live Worship Sessions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blbslHDgceY
Follow the link below to hear/see the music video, “For These Reasons,” by Lincoln Brewster Album All to You Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kQma4KPY04
Follow the link below to hear/see the music video, “Thank You,” by Ray Boltz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lVzeS5i8WQ
Follow the link below to hear/see the music video, “Worthy Is the Lamb,” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAplJ0_jDFc
Follow the link below to hear/see the music video, “Give Thanks,” by Don Moen / Live Worship Sessions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blbslHDgceY
Follow the link below to hear/see the music video, “For These Reasons,” by Lincoln Brewster Album All to You Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kQma4KPY04
Follow the link below to hear/see the music video, “Thank You,” by Ray Boltz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lVzeS5i8WQ
