Grateful HeartsSample

In the Presence of God

I find the qualities of God that I perceive during my maternal role very interesting. One of the things that I emphasize to my children constantly is to first greet and thank me for the kind gesture of having cooked for them. I ask that they do this right after entering the kitchen door, but before asking aloud and from a distance— "What's for lunch?"

God's Word says in John 14:23 and 15:4 that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, implying that His presence is in us. However, as we go in prayer, we must not lose sight of the fact that God wants us to keep a greatful heart by first acknowledging who He is and what He has done for us before asking for anything. And this is not on a whim. Gratitude to God also benefits us greatly as it fixates our thoughts on the good things in life, releases tension and gives us holistic well-being.

Meditate: What are the first words that come out of your mouth when you pray?

God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. That's why I believe that Psalm 100:4 describes the attitude that God expects us to have as we begin to pray—one of gratitude and praise to His name.

Before we ask for anything, before we tell Him our complaints and so forth, let's first set our minds on who God is for us and the things for which we should thank Him.

Let's consider the Lord's own prayer which also begins with acknowledgment and praise of God and let's make it part of our prayer today.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as it is in heaven, so also on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.