This Year I'm Changing My Please to Thanksgiving

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12

We live in the midst of a material world. Everywhere we turn, someone is trying to sell us on the idea that things and circumstances lead to happiness. If I just have the perfect, house, car, kids, husband, wife, agent, publishing contact, etc., then I’ll be content. The list just keeps getting longer. And If something gets crossed off, three more things take it’s place.

So often my prayer is a reflection of this. It’s a laundry list of things I desire.

Not all of them are bad things. Often they’re a requests for someone to get well, someone to be protected, someone to get something they desire. But no matter how good the things on the list are, they miss the point.

This week I began trying to change the focus of my prayer life. I’m moving from a list of please, to a list of thanksgiving. Because truthfully, if I spent every second of every day that I have left, thanking God for the way He’s blessed me I couldn’t cover it all.

I’m not giving up on praying for others. But I’m throwing away the laundry list. In addition to prayers for healing and salvation, I’m going to add contentment beside the name of everyone I pray for.

I want to understand and experience what Paul described. I want to know the depth of contentment he wrote about. I want to be so confident in God’s provision that I can face anything with peace and thanksgiving.

Care to join me?

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This year I'm changing my please to Thanksgiving - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)