Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks

Are you going about your daily routine while your heart and mind are rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks as you’re spiritually walking in tune with Him? You can and you should.

March’s Awakening, Day 28

Prayer consists of:

P-etition: “Daniel made his petition three times a day” (Daniel 6:13)

R-everence: “Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28)

A-doration: “My lips will praise thee” (Psalm 63:3)

Y-earning: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6)

E-xpectation: “Elijah … prayed fervently that it might not rain” (James 5:17)

R-equests: “Let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6)

 —Author Unknown  

The reason why Paul enjoins, “Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:17–18), is, because he would have us with the utmost assiduity, at all times, in every place, in all things, and under all circumstances, direct our prayers to God, to expect all the things which we desire from him, and when obtained ascribe them to him; thus furnishing perpetual grounds for prayer and praise.

 —John Calvin

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Godʼs will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NIV     

            If we as believers would rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all circumstances, can you imagine how powerful and fulfilling our lives could be? And yes, this is well within our reach. Even if we don’t audibly speak the words, rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks with our thoughts and in our heart can be accomplished on a regular and continual basis. It all becomes an attitude of the heart and a discipline of the mind. The more we do it, the easier and more natural it becomes, just like breathing in and breathing out. Let your mind be ever focused and cognizant of Him and the spiritual realm around you. Make those moments of illumination be powerfully effective—rejoice, pray, and give thanks. It is amazing how much you can accomplish spiritually while going about your daily living. Make it a reality in your life. Make it be the norm.