Psalm 138:1-8
The Creator and Ruler of the universe invites us to communicate with Him, and prayer is the amazing privilegeof entering into His throne room. Typical components of prayer are intercession, petition, confession, praise, and thanksgiving. Which one of these consumes most of the time you spend talking with the Father?
Though Scripture urges us to express gratitude (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18), there are a couple of reasons why doing so may seem less of a priority. First, whatever fills our mind is also what dominates our prayers. So, if we’re feeling overwhelmed, petitions naturally become more urgent; when concerns for loved ones preoccupy us, intercession will be uppermost in our mind.
Another issue is this: After we’ve seen God work in our life or answer a prayer request, we’re filled with gratitude and thank Him repeatedly. After a while, however, we tend to forget and drift back into our regular thought patterns.
Learning to know the Lord more deeply is the key to keeping gratitude and praise foremost in prayer. As we read Scripture and discover God’s glorious nature and mighty works, He’ll become our focus. Then our prayers will be filled with praise and thanks, not just for what He’s done for us but for who He is—our good, loving, faithful, and glorious God (Ps. 138:5).
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 1-3
