American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 89
ARC Prayer Meeting:
This past Sunday American Reformation Church prepared the congregation to enter the holiday season. It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year. For our family, this season has established most of our fondest memories and inspired faith for the future.
The message was called Pilgrim’s Progress. It centered on the Exodus of our Pilgrim forefathers and mothers who came to the shores of the New World to establish a beachhead to further the Kingdom of God upon this land. We covered their many adventures, setbacks, trials, deprivations, and hardships as they escaped England, fled to Holland for religious liberty, and finally embarked on the arduous journey to travel to what they considered was their Promise Land.
A passage from the book of Psalms aptly describes their pilgrimage to America, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Bringing in the sheaves after that first brutal winter that claimed the lives of half their company led to the major feast our nation celebrates as Thanksgiving.
Throughout the Bible, there are many references to prayer and thanksgiving. It really could be a distinct category of prayer. Probably, the most direct connection between prayer and thankfulness can be discovered in the epistle to the Philippians. Philippians 4:6, 7 declares, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Examples of thankful intercession abound in Holy Writ. They are not limited to just times of blessing. They are also offered in trials, showing trust in God’s plans even when it is hard to comprehend. Whether it’s Hannah’s heartfelt cry, Paul’s prison praise, or Mary’s joyful song, these examples remind us that gratitude and prayer are central to our faith.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, here are some passages of Scripture to meditate on:
• Psalm 107:1 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
• Psalm 7:17 “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.”
• Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
• Ephesians 5:20, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
