This past year I realized I was receiving noticeable answers to prayer and I believe it was tied to thankfulness.

I could keep praying, pleading and asking God for what was on my heart but I knew at some point I needed to start thanking Him for the answers as well.

Although I did not understand it at the time, I believe the reason for my prayer answers was a result of consciously including thanksgiving in my petitions.

Gratitude acknowledged my faith in God for answers I had not yet received.

“Who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.” (Romans 4:17 NKV)

Thankfulness calls into being that which does not yet exist. It gives life to our requests, creating the movement that brings  answered prayer forward to the present.

Being thankful for answers yet to come is the springboard to faith, the catalyst that gives life to our prayers.

By being thankful, I was believing instead of doubting.

An expectancy accompanied me throughout the day.  The spiritual atmosphere in my life began to shift and change my physical reality.

I realized how incomplete my life had been without gratitude.

Being thankful is no easy task. I attended a seminar a few years ago where one of our assignments was to write down 100 things we were thankful for.  After writing down 10 things I was at a loss.  For the next three days I wracked my brain until I finally came up with 100 things to be thankful for — I was down to my socks and toothbrush.

More recently, I have started writing down five new things in my journal I am grateful for each day.

Charisma Magazine just wrote an article on Denzel Washington who grew up the son of a pastor. He, his wife and kids attend church regularly. Lately, he has been traveling and speaking to large groups and churches about gratitude encouraging them to exercise thankfulness throughout their day.

Denzel said:

“I pray that you put your slippers way under bed at night, so that when you wake in the morning you have to start on you knees to find them.  And while your down there, say thank you.”

I had started being thankful for little things and noticed that something big was going on inside me.  Gratitude was changing  my attitude, the way I spoke, viewed my life, my  circumstances and the people around me.

I am grateful!

Denzel believes there is power in thanksgiving adding:

“It is impossible to be grateful and hateful at the same time.  We have to have an attitude of gratitude.”

Exercising thanksgiving energizes faith.

Source:

• Denzel Washington schools Pentecostals on gratitude: Charisma News