Unleashed: As You Go – Pray
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
Historians debate whether this was the first proclamation or executive order issued by the new President George Washington but it was definitely one of his first official orders. President Washington issued a proclamation on October 3, 1789 establishing a day of Thanksgiving. Washington recognized that this young nation needed to stop and express thankfulness.
Thanksgiving is truly a unique holiday that has only one purpose: to give thanks. There have been countless changes in the United States since that first proclamation was issued but one thing hasn’t or shouldn’t change: the need to give thanks. In an article by Hollis Miller, he asked kids what they were thankful for. Here are a few of the responses from the kids:
“Ceiling Fans.”
“Hot Wheels.”
“Thankful that her brother isn’t a monster because if he was, he would eat her.”
“Gas.”
“Shoes, Getting new shoes. People who make shoes.”
“Toilet Paper.”
“Cookies. Lots of cookies.”
“I’m thankful for snowmen, daddy and quesadillas. “
At least Daddy ranked higher than food even if he could not outrank a snowman.
I can be pretty confident in saying that 2020 has been a stressful year. On Thursday you may ask, do we have anything to give thanks about? What will you be thankful for? Maybe it would be helpful during the days before Thanksgiving during your daily prayer time and devotion to take some time to meditate upon thankfulness. Allow God to reveal to you those things in your life for which you can express thanksgiving. It is always helpful to write those thoughts on paper as a reminder for the next day. Hopefully if you are able to gather around a table with family this year, you can share your thoughts of thankfulness.
If 2020 has been a challenging year in which to be thankful, imagine writing your thoughts from a dark, dingy prison cell. Paul did just that as he wrote to the church in Colosse, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.” Paul, writing with a chain around his leg, was still able to give thanks for the Colossians.
Paul should have been worried and stressed out but he tells the church to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful….” singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
I can’t help but imagine that if Paul were writing to the church in 2020, he would still write the same closing encouraging words. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Instead of stressing over the unrelenting wave of negative news, spend time praying for others and yourself. Instead of being downcast, constantly look for those things for which you are thankful. Instead of focusing on what has been lost in 2020, find those things that you are thankful for, like family, health and life itself.
Thanksgiving is a lot more than turkey, football and parades. It is a day to slow down long enough to truly be thankful no matter the circumstances.
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” I Chronicles 16:34
God is great,
Pastor Lynn