Gratitude
Hi! It's me again, PB (Prayer Blogger), with some thoughts/questions - this month about Gratitude, Thanksgiving, and the privilege of prayer.
Gratitude
Pastor Leanne pointed out in her latest blog post that “Gratitude is good for you!” Gratitude expression affects us both cognitively and how we feel about what we’ve been blessed with. Let’s end this month on a “note” of gratitude, which brings to mind a song/hymn verse:
Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Rejoice, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore . . . .
Can you hear that melody?
Like gratitude, prayer is good for us too. Prayer is the way we express our gratitude to our creator, sustainer and guide. We have lots of things to be grateful for, and many people to be grateful for.
Who are you grateful for?
Thanksgiving
We are at the end of November and have just celebrated Thanksgiving. Yes, it’s a holiday, but is Thanksgiving more? We give thanks for lots of things and people, do we not? Imagine what the participants thought and felt on that first Thanksgiving in 1619 in Berkeley Hundred (Berkeley Plantation), in what is now Virginia. Virginia? Wait! What? You thought the first Thanksgiving was in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts? If you want to spend a little research time, there is an interesting article online that references more than one Thanksgiving: https://www.insider.com/history-of-thanksgiving-2017-11
Regardless of the exact date and location, we celebrate (thanks to Abraham Lincoln) Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. The original Thanksgiving attendees were likely grateful for many things we may not have to think about. Like safety from attack? Or, new foods to eat? Or, a new place to live? Or, freedom?
Privilege
We can pray to God anytime, anywhere, about anything. Right? Well, isn’t that a privilege? In legal proceedings, a privilege is a rule that says certain communications between certain relationships cannot be disclosed in court; e.g., a doctor or lawyer’s communication with you as a patient or client. There are no limitations on prayer.
If prayer is a privilege, are you sharing that privilege? Have you looked at it that way? What does that mean to you, sharing the privilege of prayer? (please comment below)
Burden
Or, is prayer a burden? Is it a burden for you to pray? Have you ever thought, “I don’t know what to say”? The verse on our inspiration wall in the CPC Memorial Rose Garden says,
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
If it’s hard for you to pray, have you tried sitting on that wall’s bench, under that verse, and just thinking about what prayer means to you?
The Getty praise song version of a classic hymn goes as follows:
Beneath the cross of Jesus I find a place to stand,
And wonder at such mercy that calls me as I am.
There is room on that bench in the Rose Garden for you to bring your burdens. Let prayer bring you peace!
Grateful for you, and praying for you!
PB
Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502