During my morning prayer time one Thanksgiving, instead of my usual litany of requests I thanked God for His generosity during the previous year, naming each blessing as I thought of it.  Prayer time expanded as I remembered more amazing ways He had provided for my needs and for my heart's desire. The more thanks I offered, the more joyful I became.  I hope God enjoyed that time of thanksgiving as much as I did.

We are commanded to give thanks in all things, but too often, I zoom through life at jet speed and either don't notice or don't give God credit for answered prayers and the miraculous ways He cares for me.  And yet, in acknowledging God's hand as it  moves circumstances for my good, I become aware of how precious I am to my Creator and how much He delights in supplying my need. I see His power to move mountains, and feel His constant vigilance over me, even in the darkest storms.

A few weeks ago, our pastor suggested making a list of our five or ten biggest needs. Write them down and take them with you to your prayer time. When you begin, tap the list and say, "God, you know what I need." Because, of course, He does. He knows more about what we need than we do. Then begin to thank Him for answering and meeting those needs. Trust God to answer them and leave them there when you rise from your prayer time. He wants us to take our burdens to Him and leave them there. Go through your day with a heartful of gratitude because Almight God has heard you, and He will answers.  His answers are not always exactly what we had in mind as a solution, but we can count on the answers being better than anything we could think of because God knows the whole picture. Rejoice in HIs provision. Give God credit when the needs are met. Sing His praises all day long. This is a sure-fire recipe for joy.