40 Reasons For ThanksgivingSample

40 Reasons for Thanksgiving

Earlier in the year our global office with Influencers wanted to extend the celebration of Easter by promoting an effort called “Resurrection Prayer.” Why? After Jesus resurrected, scripture points out that He remained forty days with His disciples before ascending to heaven. Before He ascended He gave instructions to the disciples to then go and make other disciples of Christ (Matthew 28:19). He also told them to wait until they received power from the Holy Spirit before they commenced their work with building the Church. I can imagine that this forty days with Him would have been a major celebration over His resurrection. We wanted this celebration to continue as well.

We also chose that particular prayer emphasis to focus on our family, loved ones and friends. But it expanded to needs and places that we never imagined. For those of us who chose to take an hour each day to unite with other prayer warriors across the land to prayer, I can only say that we were affected in a big way. 

After our forty days of intercessory prayer I began to think about the many answers we received from the Lord. People who were sick were healed. Relationships were restored. People were uplifted and encouraged. On and on we saw so many wonderful responses, even miracles that I cannot mentioned them all. Afterwards, I began to think, “Shouldn’t we return and thank Father for these things He did? Shouldn’t we also put as much time in praising and thanking Him as we do asking for His help?” I think the answer must be yes, and for that reason we are encouraging united prayer for forty days to give Him thanks. Will you join thousands of other Influencers and friends to come together each day for forty days in a row to praise our King and thank Him with us?

Like before I will offer some thoughts each day that may help us focus our thanksgiving to Him from several things that we may take for granted.  I thought of the story of Jesus and the 10 lepers and how he healed all of them, but only one returned to thank Him.   So, for 40 Days, I will give you a Scripture and encourage you to return to Jesus with a reason for thanksgiving. Keep in mind that there may be thousands of people joining this emphasis and be praying through the same scriptures and same thoughts with you. I think it will be an orchestration of praise, thanksgiving and worship to Him who deserves it. We will begin this effort forty days before we celebrate what this country calls Thanksgiving. Our prayer emphasis will conclude that day.

Will you join us?

Rocky Fleming

40 Reasons for Thanksgiving

REASON #1:  Recognition

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they wentAfterward they were cleansed.  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.  Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed?  Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

If I do not recognize the mighty things God has done to bless me, am I also one who does not return to thank Him?