Thankful Thursday: Prayer

Today our hostess has chosen prayer as the theme for Thankful Thursday. As I've been thinking about prayer I realize how important prayer is in my own life. Prayers can be quick words spoken to God as you go about your day as you remember someone or a need. Prayers can be longer times of quiet reflection as you come to God with adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Prayers can be written, spoken, or thought. These are some things I am thankful for about prayer.

~ I am thankful Jesus prayed for me. This is mind boggling to think that in Jesus' prayers, He included all believers which would include me and you! In John 20 His prayer for us (verses 20-26) refers to unity. Unity was important to Him, yet I don't know that we are really very unified now.

~ I am thankful for parents who prayed for me. Growing up I remember when I was sick my Dad would say a prayer for me. I remember many times him kneeling by my bed to pray for my upset stomach, headache, or other such ailment when I would ask him to pray for me as I was going to bed. My Mom prayed with me every day before I went to school. This was special to me, and I look forward to doing this with my son.

~ I am thankful for others who tell me they'll pray for me. I have a friend (Stephanie) who will ask me frequently in her emails/letters "how can I pray for you?" I have blog friends who pray for me too. I've recently asked Michele and Debra to pray about specific things and have been blessed by their prayers. That touches me to know someone cares to want to pray for me!

~ I am thankful for a husband who prays for me. It is comforting to know he cares for my needs and the desires of my heart and lifts me up in prayer. We can seek God together in our prayers as husband and wife also.

~ I am thankful I can hear the sweet prayers of my son. It blesses my heart when he lists specific people and needs as he prays. When he was watching a football game with Daddy recently and saw an injured player, he said we need to pray for that player.

~ I am thankful I can pray. I can't imagine how people go through life without praying! Another one of those mind boggling things is how it doesn't matter where you are or what time it is, God is listening. That is so wonderful to me!

Thank you for visiting my blog. Join us at Lori's Reflections this week and next for Thankful Thursday!
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"If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;

but God has surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer.

Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!" Psalm 66:18-20