When You Can't Pray . . . Give Thanks

I once heard of a little boy who refused to say his evening prayers one night; not out of defiance, but simply because he couldn’t think of anything he wanted.   

He didn’t see much point in praying when there wasn’t anything to ask for.

When his mother heard his dilemma, she suggested he give thanks for all the things he had instead. 

So the little boy got on his knees and thanked the Lord for everything he could think of – from his favorite toy to the fact he wasn’t blind like the boy down the street.

His evening prayers were longer that night, because he was thankful for more than he wanted.

We often have the opposite dilemma.

We find it hard to pray; not because we don’t have anything to ask for, but because we're too disheartened to pray.

Our prayers seem to hit a stone ceiling; our prayers go unanswered for years; or we simply don’t receive the peace we used to enjoy in times of prayer.

But maybe we can’t pray, because we’ve forgotten to be thankful.

Like this little boy, what if we took some time and turned our prayers into words of only thanks?

When you pray today, don’t ask for one single thing.

            JUST give thanks.
  

While you drive to work, list one thing after another you’re grateful for.

            And thank the Lord ONLY.

When you have a few quiet moments, think of things you know are gifts.

            And ONLY thank the Lord.

When you can’t pray . . . give thanks.

Your prayers might be longer than usual, because you find yourself thankful for more than you want.

“With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ~ Phil. 4:6,7

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