God Speaking

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)

Our little grandson, who is nearly two years old, is just beginning to learn those all-important words, “Thank you”. His parents and all the extended family realize how necessary it is to emphasize that every time this little one receives something he remembers to say thank you. We probably all have had similar training when we were children, but in our present day society this one small evidence of good manners is often sadly lacking, so much so that the other day as I stepped aside to allow someone to pass me I was surprised to hear, “Thank you, that was kind of you.” I was not only surprised I felt a warm glow at hearing those polite words.

A very poignant story about giving thanks, is found in the book of Luke where we read of the amazing healing of the ten lepers. Jesus meets these men who are suffering from this terrible disease, which at that time was incurable, on the road to Jerusalem, and they cry out to him to have pity on them. Jesus does exactly that and all ten are healed, after they go to the priests to show they are cleansed. The sad ending to this story is that only one returns to thank Jesus and give praise to God.

“One of them when, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him- and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:15 – 16)

Jesus notes this, with sadness I am sure, as suddenly he is now forgotten and now no longer is needed by the other lepers;

“Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”” (Luke 17:17 – 18)

Perhaps we see ourselves in a little way in this story, we may not be dealing with a horrible disease like these lepers, but we too may have called out to God to have pity on us for all sorts of everyday problems that beset us. It is so easy to seek the Lord when we need his help, but the all-important spending lots of time thanking him and praising God is overlooked. I noticed this when I have been part of several prayer teams. Requests flood in for genuine needs, but there doesn’t always seem to be an equal abundance of thanking and praising for prayers answered.

Many years ago I was introduced to the beautiful simplicity of Celtic prayers. These prayers emphasize a close daily walking beside the Lord, chatting and sharing every part of the day with him. The prayers begin on waking, lighting the fire, milking the cows, etc. the Lord shares in every mundane task. One of the ones I love is a prayer on waking and the very first word uttered is “thanks” It comes from the book, The Open Gate, Celtic Prayers for Growing Spirituality by David Adam

Thanks be to thee O, God,

That I have risen today

I have risen to life

I have risen to love.

Thanks be to thee O, God

You have opened my eyes.

You have given me breath

You have made me move

Thanks be to thee O, God

For you walk with me.

For I dwell in you

And you dwell in me

Thanks be to thee O, God

For this day and my rising.

What a beautiful way of beginning every day with the very first word being spoken as “Thanks” to the Heavenly Father, Our Creator.

The Celtic prayers truly embody the message of these verses written to the Thessalonians, and encourage us to do likewise.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18)