Say, “Thank You, Daddy”

July 3, 2014

Ever feel a little strange telling God, “thank you”? Well, that’s exactly what the prayer of thanksgiving is all about. It’s also called praise. And worship. And honor.

We read in Revelation chapter 5 that the angels and the elders before the Throne are constantly praising God: ’saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.’ (Verses 12-14, NASB).

That’s a heavenly example. They are praising and honoring Jesus the Lamb and Father God.
For us on earth it can be harder to pray the prayer of thanksgiving. We run out of things to say. Sad, but true.

Recently, my pastor taught an incredible series on worship. One major point was that we don’t have to have music to offer praise to God, nor do we have to have someone else lead. We – each of us – have the ability to give praise and thanksgiving because we have the spirit of Jesus in us. We have invited Him.

Another name for the spirit of Jesus is Holy Spirit or Spirit of Truth. According to John 16:13 (NASB), “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

And 1 Corinthians 3:16: “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

And what’s the job of that Spirit? To direct us to Jesus, who introduces us to the Father. An interesting discovery emerged during the “Worship” series: when we opened our hearts and minds to the Spirit dwelling in us, He provided the words we needed to offer thanksgiving and praise to God. Who knows us better than God, and who knows Him better than the Godhead?

Our pastor was tricky – one at a time, he called several of us up to the front so we could offer thanksgiving to God while the one before us continued their prayers. The microphone was passed from one to the next, so all of us were put on the spot in our turns. And each of us (me, too!) was able to listen to what the indwelling Spirit reminded us about God and then to speak that out in thanksgiving. It was absolutely glorious!

Join me in offering the prayer of praise and honor to the one God Who deserves all our praise. And when you run out of words, let the indwelling Spirit remind you of God’s greatness.