A Devotional Guide to Pray With Gratitude During the Thanksgiving SeasonSample

THANK YOU, GOD, FOR CREATING SEA LIFE AND BIRDS!

• On the fifth day, creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly were created.

I marvel at the photos taken by deep-sea divers of life inhabiting the depths of an ocean. I enjoy leafing through the National Geographic Magazine browsing pictures of sea life that I did not know existed. Photos like that of a Christmas Tree Worm make me realize just how deeply creative God is. The worms are in the shape of a Christmas Tree! Some of the creatures, such as the Dumbo Octopus, make me think that God has a great sense of humor!

"And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.”  So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” Genesis 1:20-22 NIV

Many of the world's birds I will never see. According to Science Daily, there are between 9,000 and 10,000 species of birds globally. Birds are one of my favorite things to watch as they flit about without a care in the world. God tells us that we can learn from them. (Read Matthew 6:25-34.)

Today when you pray, thank God:

• for the sea life that provides a great source of food.

• for the oceans and seas because they provide more than 50% of the air that we breathe.

• for the countless species of sea life that is so important to the ecosystem.

• for all the birds of the air. We need them more than they need us. They act as insect control & pollinate naturally.

• for His supreme ways, as high as the skies to the depths of the seas. God knew what earth and man needed when He created sea life and birds.

Good evening, Father,

Tonight, I thank You for the creation of sea life and birds!  We are so busy in our little corner of the world that it is easy to miss what goes on miles below the oceans and high above us in the skies.  When You created sea life, You created each species for a purpose. That means You had thousands of reasons and purpose in all that You made. Thank You, Lord, for Your lesson for us not to worry. You show us that You care for the birds and that You care even more for us. You, God, are amazing!  In Jesus' Name, Amen.