Thought for the Week

Scriptures to Read:

I Thessalonians 5:12-18

I Corinthians 2:6-11

St. Matthew 6:9-15

Psalm 136:1-9

Ephesians 5:15-21

Colossians 3:12-17

II Peter 1:12-21

Hopefully you saved last week's "Thought" I want to continue. (Example) As part of my example, I want to more clearly demonstrate thankfulness. Remind me to thank my wife for the hundreds of meals she has made. I want to thank people who are often unseen: the clerk, the stock-boy, the manager, the meat-cutter, and others in the grocery store for instance. (Thankfulness) Remind me Father that I like to be thanked when I do something for another. Help me remember to say "Thanks."

(Food) Lord, we have such a variety of food available all year long. (Seasons) This reminds me with the rainbow a promise there would be summer and winter, springtime and harvest as long as the world stands. (World) I know there will come a day this world, as we know it, will end. (What comes next) With the end of this world, as we know it, will come Judgment of the wicked – reward of the redeemed. (Heaven) Father, I cannot imagine all that is ahead.Your Word tells us there are unimagined wonders and blessings ahead for those who have received and returned Your love. May our family all be part of that wonder. Please, Lord, let none of our loved ones fail to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord. Help me to have a heart like Jesus. He prayed forgiveness for those who made themselves His enemies. He blessed those who cursed Him. I know I have not experienced anything like Jesus did.

(Thankful) I want to thank You for giving me so many blessings. We are not a very grateful people. May I please set a better example of being thankful. I want to thank You first of all but I also want to thank others. This is, and should be, Thanksgiving Month. Thank You for the freedoms I enjoy. Thank you for the blessings I receive. (Singing) I want to thank You Lord for music.There are many songs and hymns of thanks we seem only to sing once a year. May I make a joyful noise, sing songs, hymns, spiritual songs, and make melodies of praise to You, Lord.

(Reading) Thank You Lord, for Christian authors, who write devotionals or other writings to inspire us. (Teachers) Thank You Lord for those who taught me to read, write, and all the other things an education requires. Thank You for those who pay taxes to support the public good. Thank You for those who administer government. May they seek You for guidance as they lead. May our nation not be a case of the "blind following the blind" but may leaders of the nation and the church want to know Your will so they can lead in the right way. Help us who are followers know we have a responsibility to pray for leaders both political and religions. Well, there you have a demonstration of progressional prayer. I hope it can be and was helpful to you.

As I read back over what I have written, it was "all over the place," but that is often how my prayers are. I don't generally think of a subject for a segment of prayer. I just pray. You probably noticed I did not follow the A.C.T.S. format but I believe I had all the elements of that format in my prayer.You have your own style.

Please remember this is Thanksgiving Month and include lots of thanksgiving prayers. There is a small booklet: "A 31-Day Guide to Prayer" by Andrew Murray. I have found it helpful in focusing prayers. Use what you will but please pray.