Gratitude

Bible Reading: John 11:1-44

Gratitude was central to Jesus’ life when he was on earth. Before he did anything, He would give thanks to His Heavenly Father. And afterwards, the miraculous will begin to happen. For instance, Jesus offered thanks to God over five loaves of bread and two fishes and it was multiplied miraculously that he was able to feed 5,000 men (excluding women and children) (Matthew 14:13-21). Showing gratitude unlocks windows of opportunities, possibilities and blessings. In our Bible reading today, Jesus expressed his gratitude to his Heavenly Father. He gave thanks before He raised Lazarus from the dead, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me” (John 11:41). When we want to fellowship with God in prayer whether individually or corporately, the order is ACTS (according to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-11). ACTS— Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication— and this order shows gratitude. Like Jesus, true worship requires recognizing the amazing power of God and showing intense love for Him. To confess is to declare, speak about and serve as a witness to the love and power of God. Thanksgiving is a deliberate offer of praise and then supplication is our request unto God. From our reading today, Jesus recognized and adored His Heavenly Father, acknowledged and confessed to the fact that He is a prayer answering God. He gave thanks for the amazing opportunity for the miraculous (that is, God’s intervention in the affairs of men). Afterwards, he presented his request. Dear friends, if showing gratitude to men can open more doors to good things unto us, how much of God?

Daily Confession: My Heavenly Father, I thank you for you hear me.

Intercessory prayer: Intercede for the youth of this generation that God’s hand will be upon them.

Song: Thank you, thank you Lord

Thank you Lord, thank you Lord

For everything you have done.