I read the following question on Judy' Benmakesten Blog:
If everything else I didn't thank God for was taken away, what would I be left with? A sobering thought because I feel I've been in the prayer mode of requesting things rather than thanking Him for the things I already have. There is so much need of prayer around me and for some reason prayer of thanksgiving has fallen to the bottom of the list.
Since this is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, I've been praying for my family and friends who've died and for those who have no one praying for them. Especially on my heart is a middle aged man named Marcus who committed suicide a few weeks ago. I didn't know him but I met his sister who was in tears at my church asking me to pray for him. She showed me a happy picture of Marcus which gave no indication of the inner pain he must have been struggling with. Another person who's been on my mind is a former co-worker of mine who died a couple of weeks ago and I've been praying for him. He was only 44 years old.
These prayers are important indeed but I must remember to give praise and thanksgiving instead of only praying for my needs and wants. I must do it daily. Thank you Judy for blogging about that... it was what I needed to hear!
I'm linking up with Heidi of Sacramental Moments this post for Pondering in My Heart this week.
Blessings,
Noreen
"What if all I had today were the things I thanked God for yesterday?"
Since this is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, I've been praying for my family and friends who've died and for those who have no one praying for them. Especially on my heart is a middle aged man named Marcus who committed suicide a few weeks ago. I didn't know him but I met his sister who was in tears at my church asking me to pray for him. She showed me a happy picture of Marcus which gave no indication of the inner pain he must have been struggling with. Another person who's been on my mind is a former co-worker of mine who died a couple of weeks ago and I've been praying for him. He was only 44 years old.
These prayers are important indeed but I must remember to give praise and thanksgiving instead of only praying for my needs and wants. I must do it daily. Thank you Judy for blogging about that... it was what I needed to hear!
I'm linking up with Heidi of Sacramental Moments this post for Pondering in My Heart this week.
Blessings,
Noreen
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Wow, what a question...really makes us think, that's for sure. We, at bedtime prayers always say "Thank you God for all Your graces and blessings" and name a few...but some days I skip it, especially when I'm tired and want them in bed more than I want to pray....I will be pondering this question every night, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting.
Will pray for those you mentioned too.
Noreen, that question is one I ran across before, but trying to write this comment, it is sobering as you said. There are the basics that I only thank God for occasionally, and then there are the exquisite gifts of the Sacraments, his servants, our shepherds, and consecrated religious for whom I rarely thank him. I don't think I thank him for the saints that went before us nor for those making the journey now with us.
ReplyDeleteNoreen, Thank you for coming over reading and commenting on my blog. I really appreciate it.
Most good parents do a lot for their children and they don't get thanked enough; they're perhaps taken for granted. These parents don't love their children any the less.
ReplyDeleteOur God knows that our omissions are not deliberate ingratitude but the result of forgetfullness and perhaps tiredness in our prayers. He understands and, yet again, He forgives. This however should not be an excuse for us to neglect thanking Him every now and then.
I'm praying for the people you mentioned and their families; and for you too.
God bless.
It is a question certainly worth pondering. I'm guilty of letting life get in the way. Thank you to all of you for keeping Marcus and Alvaro in your prayers!
ReplyDeleteNoreen,
ReplyDeleteFood for thought here! I often spend more time petitioning than thanking God too. What's worse, I have to force myself to thank him at times but I rarely have to force myself to ask Him for something. What's wrong with this picture?
I'll keep your friends in my prayers. God bless!
Thank you Mary! I guess I'm not alone in this area.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is indeed sobering. Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings~