Wild Prayers预览

OUTRAGEOUS THANKSGIVING UNVEILS OUTRAGEOUS MIRACLES

It may sound wild to give thanks in all circumstances while living in this “I’m-not-impressed-by-anything” generation. In today’s world, where arrogance and self-centeredness have taken center stage, a prayer of thanksgiving deeply touches the heart of God.

Why should we give thanks? Giving thanks promotes a lifestyle of humility and reinforces our trust in God and His power. In contrast, a heart that is void of gratitude festers with bitterness and self-obsession and is manifested by a tongue that is constantly complaining.

Here are some reasons why thanksgiving can be the wild prayer that can set your miracle in motion:

• Gratitude brings manifestation:

When we keep giving thanks for that which we cannot see, God brings it into manifestation. One of the greatest recorded encounters of Jesus’ power was Lazarus being raised from the dead. At the face of the gravest of situations, Jesus’ prayer was nothing like summoning thunder and lightning. In contrast, He simply started by giving thanks to the Father while Lazarus was dead and buried with no sign of life. The prayer of gratitude was the roar that manifested the rumble of life in Lazarus’ grave.

• Gratitude is the booster shot:

Life can sometimes get overwhelming. When the tasks ahead of us seem daunting and draining, a prayer of thanksgiving can usher us into a higher level of strength and endurance. The last supper was a dress rehearsal of all that was going to happen to Jesus in just a few hours. Yet, Jesus started serving the meal by giving thanks to the Father. Even amidst His agony, Jesus gave thanks because He knew the power that emanated from thanksgiving.

• Gratitude is the great multiplier:

A prayer of thanksgiving is one that acts as a great multiplier. When Jesus had to feed thousands of people with meager resources, the only prayer that He offered was a prayer of thanksgiving. This was enough to bring overflow and abundance into the situation. When we are wild enough to say thanks for the little things, God honors us with abundance.

God’s wild ones are known to be outrageously thankful. If you are faced with adversity, just remember, “Until God opens the next door, you’ve got to praise Him in the hallway.” (Nicky Gumbel).

Reflection time:

1. What are the top five things that you are grateful for?

2. What are the complaints that you find hard to let go of?

3. Write down a prayer of thanks for a miracle that you are expecting, but don’t see yet.

Have a little chat about all that you have written down with God.