“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught….”—Colossians 2:6–7
I was in a meeting not long ago where participants were talking about various difficulties and problems, both in our society and as individuals. They called upon a man to pray. I knew this man had experienced much difficulty and even then was experiencing much; and I was astonished by his prayer. He did not ask the Lord for a single thing except for his presence. And the man quickly affirmed his presence.
The prayer was full of giving of thanks and of affirmation of God’s goodness. It was an entrancing prayer and I said to him, “Jim, I know something of the difficulties you face. How come you never ask God for anything?”
“Oh,” he replied, “I’ve learned that the best way to pray is to thank God. He knows what I need. Why should I ask Him for anything? Let me just tell you all the wonderful things I have.” And he began to enumerate his blessings. No matter how much difficulty you have, and there may be much, you still have many, many things for which to be thankful.
Excerpted from Positive Living Day by Day, copyright © 2011 by Guideposts. All rights reserved.
