Thanksgiving in July (07/09/2024)

Last night at the conclusion of bible study, the women gathered shared the names of friends and loved ones in need of prayer, but we also shared the good news of prayers answered for friends and family. As we closed with prayer, we lifted to the LORD the needs of others and we offered our heartfelt praise and thanksgiving to the LORD for prayers answered.

Today’s gospel recounts Jesus’ healing of a man possessed as well as a multitude of others suffering from a host of illnesses and diseases. Jesus compassion for our suffering still exists. I believe that our prayer weekly at the end of bible study matters, our bringing the needs and suffering of others to Christ matters. And so does our thanksgiving, our recognition of the LORD’s loving power at work in the lives of our loved ones.

I am reminded of Jesus’ healing of 10 lepers, only one of whom returned to give thanks. I would wager that statistically speaking, the same is still true. We beg in our need, but we don’t always return to the source of our blessing to offer thanksgiving. We’re good at “petitions” in prayer. We may even excel in “contrition.” But how are we doing in the “thanksgiving” department?  

Our spiritual lives call us to a balance that informs our minds, helps us to conform our hearts and will, and transforms our very being. In our prayer, we are encouraged to be people of adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplications/petitions (ACTS). In my many years, I know that lifting my needs to the LORD comes very easily. I would say that probably accounts for the majority of my prayers daily. But what of the other forms? What of thanksgiving especially?

How different would our journey be if our every day was punctuated by prayers of thanksgiving to the LORD for everything from waking up to the love of our family? What difference could it make in our journey if we took time to consider all the LORD has given to us and has worked within us and we stopped to say thanks? Thanksgiving is that key that opens the mind and heart to full recognition of the power and presence of the LORD in our every moment. Without it, we tend to forget that “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

As we turn the corner in the year this month, let us take time to look back, to see the footprints of our LORD alongside us on the journey, to recognize the divine mercy shown and the loving touch of our LORD in our moments of need as well as the moments in the lives of our loved ones. Let us take time to give thanks for what has been as we eye the road ahead. That act of thanksgiving helps us to begin the next leg of the journey knowing that we do not go alone.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.