Renew Your Prayer Life: Scripture and the Arts预览

Gratitude

There are many different aspects of prayer, and each one serves a different purpose, but they are all about connecting to God.

Perhaps the most familiar kind of prayer is one of gratitude.

The concept is so ubiquitous that the phrase “Thank God!” is a common saying even among those who have forgotten its meaning. How much more powerful is it when said with intention?

Expressing our gratitude for everything God provides for us—from those who love us to a new opportunity to the feeling of the sun on our skin—is a powerful spiritual practice. Consider Psalm 100:5, “The Lord is good, and His love endures forever.” We draw closer to God when we remember His faithfulness and His abundance. We remember that finding resources and providing them is His job. Our task is simply to receive.

Consider this mixed media artwork.

Artist Betty Spackman created “RESTORATION” by collaging with photo transfer and acrylic paint on cradled board. Betty was inspired by Job 12:7-8:

“Just ask the animals, and they will teach you.

Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.

Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.

Let the fish in the sea speak to you.”

It is God who feeds the fish, gave the Israelites manna in the wilderness, and still takes care of us today. It is God who heals the fish as they swim in polluted waters, forgives our every sin, and restores us now. Look closely, and you will see Christ in the factory smokestack. God extends restoration right to the source of our battles.

How has God provided for you lately?

Here are some fresh ideas to weave prayers of gratitude into your daily life.

1. Pretend you are wearing “gratitude glasses.” As you go about your day, look for easily-overlooked moments of grace, tenderness, promise, and pleasantness. When you do, stop and thank God for them right then—a quick message sent with a glad heart!
2. Try carrying a small notebook in their pocket. When something praise-worthy happens, it only takes a moment to jot it down. Next time you’re having a down day, look through your gratitude notebook and see if it provides a pick-me-up.
3. If you feel burnt out and struggle to find the words to pray, you can always rely on Scripture. Reading Scripture to the Lord can be a powerful and effective prayer. Here’s one to start you out:

“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” (Psalm 7:17)

Have you created routines in your day to stop and give thanks?

How could gratitude fit into your day today?