A Time For Thanksgiving

A Time for Thanksgiving

Contributed by Jane Rager

My dad and I were always very close.  He knew me so well.  But as a kid, I hadn’t figured that out yet.  When I really wanted something, I would say something like, “Daddy you are the greatest Daddy in the whole wide world.  You took me for ice cream last week and you let me ride along with you on errands. You fixed my bike when I broke it and you taught me how to tie my shoes. You are the best Dad ever.”  He would stifle a grin and say, “Janie, I appreciate your saying that but what is it that you want?”  He knew me well enough to know that when I showered him with thanks and praises, I would follow it up with a request for something that I wanted.

I may have grown up a bit over the years but I find that I use the same tactics to this day, especially in my prayer life. I always include thanks and praise in my prayers but I end up with a whole lot of prayer requests.  Now to be honest, as Christians in today’s world, we are bombarded by prayer requests on a daily basis.  This is a labor of love that I gladly take on but I am afraid the intercessory part of my prayers have become the main event.  I find myself rushing through praise, worship and gratitude so that I can start lifting up all the needs and requests that are on my heart.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I have started setting time aside just to spend time with God, lifting up praises and thanking Him for all he has done for me, my family and all of us.  I am careful not to ask for anything during this particular prayer time, which was difficult at first.  But as time goes on, this has become easier and I look forward to this special time.

I like to think that my two Dads, the earthly one and the Heavenly One are smiling down on me and saying to each other, “I think she’s finally got it”!