Journey of Prayer - Day 30

While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised 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 were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?” Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19

I love this passage of scripture. I know it's convicting, but I've always been somehow encouraging to me as well. When I read these verses together, I picture this one, healed man so overcome with gratitude that he just had to turn back to thank his Healer.

When is the last time you simply had to give thanks to God for His extravagant gifts? Ladies, I just want the kind of heart that is so aware of God's lovingkindness towards me that I must give thanks.

I have a journal that I write in each day. When I wake up in the morning, I throw on my workout clothes and head to the gym. When I return, I bundle up on the couch with my quiet time materials in order to have time alone with God before going to school. Sometime during 2019, I started a brief gratitude journal in my agenda. The first thing I typically do during this quiet time routine is write out something that I'm immensely thankful for at that moment. From the very beginning, I've vowed not to overthink it. I've written a number of different things;

my favorite laundry detergent (when the blanket I'm covering with is freshly washed)

a difficult conversation that served to bring about growth in a relationship

the gym and instructors

HEAT when FL cold is too much for me (sorry Northerners..... I'm such a wimp)

a bold act of courage from my daughter when I've been praying for boldness all of her mild, sweet, and precious life

You get the idea. I always have something to be thankful for, but I haven't always voiced my thanks. I've discovered that starting my day with one statement of thanksgiving shifts the mood for the day.

In Psalm 92:2, the psalmist stated that it's good to give thanks to the Lord, to declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night.I have found this practice to be a powerful way to start and end the day.

Today, I'd like to challenge you (and me) to look back over these prayers we've been praying for weeks now. How has God answered? Let's pause, return to Jesus, and say, "thank you." If you don't see an answer yet, pray and ask God to open your eyes to let you get a glimpse of what He is doing. Maybe there's a slight change that you have missed. OR, maybe you truly are still waiting for Him to remember and act. If that's the case, let's offer up our thanksgiving for the way we trust He will act on our behalf in the future simply because HE IS GOOD!

I can't wait to read all of your thoughts of thanksgiving. I am believing God will bless this time of gratitude with more of Himself.

HealerI believe You are always working, always healing, and always looking for ways to bless those who belong to You. Help us to experience Your goodness today and throughout the weekend in a way that requires us to turn and give thanks. Help us to be overwhelmed with Your kindness towards us. Amen.

For further reading: Psalm 50:23; Psalm 92:1-4; Psalm 145:10-12