September 12 – Pray with Thanksgiving
Scripture
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with Thanksgiving.” (KJV)
Encouragement
It is easy for our prayer time to become a list of needs.
Lord, please help me with this. Please provide that. Please heal them. Please give me wisdom. Please change this situation.
God invites us to bring every need to Him. But Colossians 4:2 reminds us that something else should accompany our prayers: thanksgiving.
Paul tells us to continue steadfastly in prayer while being “watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Being watchful means paying attention.
As we pray, we can watch for God’s faithfulness. We can notice prayers He has answered, strength He has provided, needs He has met, people He has placed in our lives, and grace He has given for difficult days.
Thanksgiving changes the way we pray because it turns our attention from everything we still need to everything God has already done.
Some prayers may still be unanswered.
Some circumstances may still be difficult.
Some burdens may still be heavy.
But even while we wait, we can look back and remember: God has been faithful before.
And remembering His past faithfulness gives us courage to trust Him with what we are praying about today.
Before you finish praying today, pause and thank God for something specific.
Then keep watching.
You may discover His goodness in places you have been overlooking.
Prayer
Dear heavenly Father,
Thank You for the privilege of bringing every need to You. Forgive me when I become so focused on what I am asking for that I overlook what You have already done. Open my eyes to Your faithfulness throughout my day. Help me to continue steadfastly in prayer with a heart that notices Your goodness and gives You thanks. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thought for Today
As I pray, I will watch for God’s faithfulness and thank Him for what He has done.
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