And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. --Hebrews 13:16
One of the most popular syndicated newspaper columns of our time is "Dear Abby," the well-known advice column. It was started in 1956 by Abigail Van Buren, the original author. Today it is written by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who continues to offer advice and guidance to people who write in. Several years ago, a "Dear Abby" column, written by Jeanne, included this Thanksgiving Prayer written years before by her mother:
O Heavenly Father:
We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service.
That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.
This prayer parallels the clear teaching of Scripture. Our thanksgiving to God should always be accompanied by remembering those in need and giving praise to the Lord. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name." In addition, we are to remember and serve the hungry, sick, poor, friendless, and imprisoned people in our world.
We are to put actions behind our gratitude to God by serving others. Just being thankful isn't enough. We must share the blessings God has given us with others, and through this God will be pleased. Learn to be thankful for God's many blessings—no matter their significance or value—and remember to think of others who have less than you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you serve others as a way of thanking Him for His many blessings in your life. Pray that the Lord would open up opportunities for you to share and serve others.
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