Day 23: Gratitude focus – A friend from my church
Quality or name of God – My Shepherd
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My friend from church, Amy, calls it “carpet-smelling prayer.” You know the kind. You literally bow the knee in prayer, and once you begin pouring your heart out to the Lord, you soon find yourself on your face before Him both in worship and in the process of emptying out the deepest desires and needs of your heart.
Not all that long ago, I was laying my burdens at His feet in a “face-in-the-carpet” time of prayer. There came a point when I knew it was time to stop talking to Him and start listening to Him. So I got up, headed to my chair, and began reading my scheduled portion of Scripture for that day—a few “assigned” verses from Psalm 119.
I began reading, and couldn’t stop. I was truly listening…and I was hearing what He was teaching me through His word! I came to the last verse of the chapter and read:
“I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.” (Psalm 119:176, NLT)
That was it! That was exactly what I had been trying to say to Him: “I’m still here…come and find me!”
As my face once again hit the carpet, this time in adoration, I recalled the ever-familiar words of the 23rd Psalm and began to praise Him not only for finding me, but also for leading me beside still waters, making me rest in the quiet pastures of life, and restoring my soul! Though I may become distracted and wander off like a lost sheep, I can gratefully say with the writer of the familiar passage: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want!”
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Additional reading (for reading through the Psalms in 30 days):
Psalm 23, 53, 83, 113, 143
______________ ______________ Ideas for demonstrating gratitude to the person of focus today:» – Send an email to thank your recipient for their impact on your life within the community of your church family.
»$ – Meet your friend for a cup of coffee or tea at a central location.
$ – Invite your friend from church to have dinner with you, as your guest, following church on Sunday. Be sure to thank them over dinner for their influence on your life.
» = free »$ = minimal cost $ = cost involved
“A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love, and encourages you with hope.” (Unknown)