FROM OUR HEART

“Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17,18 KJV

Frederick William Vandersloot wrote this hymn about praying “Keep on Praying”.  “Keep on praying to God on high, Keep on praying, He hears your cry; God will answer the sincere heart, Keep on praying, He will do His part.”  Are we praying from our heart or are we just saying the words?

Can we honestly say we always give thanks for everything?  I have to admit I haven’t always thanked Him when I was going through difficult situations and my heart was breaking.  What about you?  Do you thank God for everything even when nothing is going as you want it to go?

I saw someone read a prayer from a piece of paper.  It was a long prayer and at the end of the prayer, he didn’t even say Amen.  I think there are times when we hurt our Heavenly Father and break His heart because we don’t always pray from our heart, we just say or read words.

When Jesus prayed and asked His Father to forgive us while He was hanging on the cross, He prayed from His heart.  Jesus didn’t just say words.  “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).  O how Jesus loves us.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I haven’t thanked You for everything.  Father, You are a tender loving compassionate Father and I know You love us and want us to be happy.  I pray we will be thankful even when our heart is breaking.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

December 24, 2017