I am thankful for the many Christians who don’t let their struggle to read stand in the way of their relationship with Christ. I am thankful for the easy-reader versions of the Bible that use shorter sentences and simpler words (ERV and NIRV, for example).
I’m thankful the Holy Spirit is here to help.
John 16:13 (MSG)
But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.
“The greatest saint in the world is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity or justice. It is he who is most thankful to God.”
William Law (1686-1761)
When his political views prevented him from serving as a priest, William Law became a writer. If he’d become a priest, we might have missed out on his wisdom.
“Thou who has given so much to me,
give one thing more: a grateful heart.”
George Herbert (1593-1633)
George Herbert was a priest in the Church of England. He’s best-known for his poetry.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (GNV)
In all things, give thanks,
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus toward you.
“Yes, give thanks for ‘all things’ for, as it has been well said ‘Our disappointments are but His appointments.'”
A. W. Pink (1886-1952)
Thank You, Lord, for my disappointments and your divine appointments. Forgive my doubts. Do away with my distress.
Fill me with faith.
Arthur Pink’s writings speak to larger audiences than he ever did. He is better known in death than in life.
Here in the US, it’s the week of Thanksgiving. I’m looking to minds wiser than mine to jumpstart my thankful thinking.
“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”
G. K. Chesterton (1874-1935)
Gratitude, Lord! Give me a thankful heart.
Gilbert Chesterton had a way with words. He wrote a hundred books, 200 short stories, more than 4000 newspaper essays, lots of poems and a few plays. He’s known for his commons sense, humor, and eloquence.
Lots of people find reading to be hard work. I call them “reluctant readers.” Many of them lack the ability to scan. They start at the top and work their way down the page, reading every word.
I scan without thinking. I search for a specific Bible verse, barely noticing the surrounding text. Imagine reading every word between the top of the page and the verse you’re looking for. Imagine that every word is hard work.
Now you know why they’re reluctant.
We are saved by grace, not our vote–
by God, not a politician.
Isaiah 12:2 (AMP)
Behold, God, my salvation!
I will trust and not be afraid,
For the Lord God is my strength and song;
Yes, He has become my salvation.
Election Day, 2000: I skipped lunch and went to a nearby park. I sensed the Spirit’s nudge to pray for the candidates’ peace as the votes were tallied.
I pictured the candidates and their wives (George and Laura Bush, Al and Tipper Gore) heading to bed while the votes were counted. I prayed that they would sleep well in the midst of the unknown. I asked God to grant them peace of mind.
I thought this would be a one-night project. 2000 was the longest count in US history. I prayed this for more than a month. 
Candidates who lose don’t automatically drop off my prayer list. Scripture guides my prayers for them too.
Come to think of it, these prayers could apply to everyone I know — including me.
