Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. It is for some people no more than an extra-long weekend. A time to over-eat and watch football games. For far too many, even for too many Christians, there is very little focus on how God has blessed through His provision and providence.
I want to give you something to think about and meditate on for the next few weeks as we move toward this important holiday. It is a Puritan prayer from The Valley of Vision. Pray though it over the next several weeks. See if God does not make you more aware of all that He has provided:
Oh, my God,
You are the fairest, greatest, first of all things,
my heart admires, adores, loves You,
for my little vessel (life) is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before You
in ceaseless flow.
When I think upon and converse with You
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
the thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness
I bless You for the soul You have created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it,
though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body You have given me,
for preserving its strength and vigor,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do Your bidding,
for Your royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men (and women),
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing You clearly.
I love You above the powers of language to express,
for what You are to Your creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.
Are there things in this prayer that you tend to simply take for granted? I know there are in my case. I pray that God will give us a greater sensitivity of all that He has provided for us; and that we will never take Him for granted!!
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