Text: Psalm 136; Ephesians 1

Think for a minute on exactly what prompts us to earnestly seek the Lord. More times than not it seems like trouble, sickness, distress, or a crisis are the conditions that motivate us to pray. And while those circumstances are an obvious catalysis for needed intercessions, especially since they are so much above our abilities to personally handle, notice how Paul’s prayers were prompted:

• To the Ephesians: “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16 KJV);
• To the Romans: “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8 KJV);
• To the Philippians: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5 KJV);
• To the Colossians: “As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:7-9 KJV);
• To the Thessalonians: “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV).

Today, pray blessing on your family, friends, and fellow saints by beginning with their strengths, thanking the Father for their faith, love, and fellowship. Commit to keeping a balance in your prayer life between the urgent petitions and the prayers of thanksgiving.