We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
Thornton Wilder
Begin with Adoration
Here is a sampling from Moses’s prayer in Exodus 15:1-18. It is a great model to follow as we learn to adore God. (When you have time, be sure to read the prayer in its entirety.)
Exodus 15:1-18
Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and said,
“I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted;
The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.
2 “The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him.
3 “The Lord is a warrior;
The Lord is His name.6 “Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
7 “And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.11 “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord?
Who is like You, majestic in holiness,
Awesome in praises, working wonders?13 “In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You haveredeemed;
In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation.18 “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”
Continue with Confession
Throughout this week, we are going to begin our confession with David’s prayer from Psalm 139. May this prayer become our own—a habit of the heart prayed day by day.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
King David, Psalm 139:23-24
As the Spirit brings any sin to mind, confess it as sin and turn from it (repent). Thank God that He forgives our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Now offer words of Thanksgiving
You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.
G. K. Chesterton
Today we are going to take our prayers of Thanksgiving “on the road.” That is, we want to encourage you to live this day “saying grace” all day long. Let “thank you” pass your lips from morning till you lay your head on your pillow tonight. Be aware of the Spirit bringing to your mind the many things God puts in your day which we can thank Him for.
