How can I give thanks when God answers my prayer?
In today’s reading Jesus comes across ten lepers who cry out asking for the Lord to have pity on them. After following Jesus’ instructions, the ten lepers are cured but only one, a Samaritan man, returns to Jesus to glorify God and give thanks.
Many times we call out to the Lord and ask him to have pity on us and we find God will answer our prayer exactly as we asked. However, not being familiar with God’s timing and his understanding, we may realize that God did not answer our prayer the way we wanted because God did not want for us what we are asking of him. We are called to have patience and strive to see God’s big picture.
Whether God answers our prayers the way we want or not, we should understand he wants the best for us and we should express our gratitude to him. For some, this may be a prayer of thanksgiving or sharing the good news. For others, it may be to pay it forward in our community or to the church in the way of time, talent and treasure. These offerings are small compared to the healing, forgiveness, and redemption he showers upon us. God loves us and continually offers us a newness of life.
When we call out to God to have pity on us, let us remember Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Amen.
– Ann De Rey
