Today's inspiration comes from: Quiet Prayer by Marie Chapian |
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| Just look at us! We've become overcome with gratitude! Gratitude can't occupy the same area of space in your heart as carping and complaining. Which will it be? The truth that emerges from the center of you, from the core of your being, is revealed to you by the One who chose you, and this is worth celebrating. You're possessed by God, you're surrendered and blessed. As His loved child you possess all things. It's time to be grateful. Look for small things to celebrate. The way your fingers move across the page of this book, the touch of sunlight on your neck, the sound of leaves scraping against the window. Pay attention to the small things and be grateful. For who has despised the day of small things?" — Zechariah 4:10 When you purpose in your heart to be grateful, you'll thank and praise the Lord all day long for no reason at all. You'll thank Him for Himself alone, and that's the purest form of gratitude to God. You no longer need answered prayer to be grateful. You no longer require things work out the way you planned to be grateful (though we rejoice and celebrate these blessings!). Your personhood now and forever is His, and you can exclaim with a sigh of grateful relief, "It is well with my soul." The studies made of the effects of gratitude on the overall well-being of a person are unanimously positive. It proves one thing: God created us to be grateful. A thankful heart frees you to love life. Nothing opens the gates of Heaven like gratitude. In gratitude all things are yours. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 It is good to give thanks unto the Lord, And to sing praises to your name, O Most High. — Psalm 92:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. — 2 Chronicles 16:34 |
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The purest form of gratitude to God is thanking Him for Himself alone. |
The purest form of gratitude to God is thanking Him for Himself alone. |
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Gratitude has been shown to reduce health complaints too numerous to name, but I've had clients tell me their ulcers have vanished, their headaches are gone, their skin has cleared up, and their bruxism (teeth grinding) has ended. Gratitude must start and end your day. Deep inside the grateful heart is the treasure of the joy that the whole world seeks. For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. — Deuteronomy 14:2 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. — 2 Corinthians 4:7 What do you need to be grateful? An inmate serving a life sentence in a Texas prison wrote the following poem. He sent it to the prison ministry spearheaded by Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister. A THANKSGIVING DANCE I own nothing but these arms,
So I swing them,
So I clap them.
I have nothing but these legs,
So I lift them in dance.
I have nothing but my own hips,
So I sway them in a trance.
Except I may not even own this body
— but I move.
Even still I may not say where I go,
Yet I possess my soul.
"Dance, dance. Dance," said He.
"I am Lord of the Dance" said He.
For all these I give thanks
To the One I owe,
(O my soul dance)
the fact that I exist,
that I breathe and that I know
the One from Whom all blessings flow.1 (Used by permission) - William Backus and Marie Chapian, Telling Yourself the Truth(Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 2000), used by permission.
Excerpted with permission from Quiet Prayer by Marie Chapian, copyright Marie Chapian. * * * |
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It's time to be grateful! What are you thankful for? We want to hear from you! Come share what you are thanking the Lord for this week! |
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Is it Christian to meditate? |
Quiet Prayer: The Hidden Purpose and Power of Christian Meditation |
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+ FREE U.S. shipping included! |
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The world around us teems with chaos and noise. We can change this turmoil by first changing the turmoil within us. That's what Quiet Prayer is all about. In Quiet Prayer, bestselling author Marie Chapian introduces readers to the ancient Christian tradition of solitude and meditation—a way of being in the presence of God based on silence and stillness. She answers questions Christians may have, such as: - Is it Christian to meditate?
- What is Quiet Prayer meditation?
- What are the benefits of Quiet Prayer?
Through learning about the history of Christian meditation and practicing with Marie's step-by-step guided meditations in the book, you can lean deeper into the Lord's call to "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). |
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What Our Readers Are Saying |
"I am in love with what I have read about quiet prayer and meditating about God's love." — Charles S. |
"I'm spending time in my prayer closet daily now, so this book came at the PERFECT time. Thank you Faithgateway!" — Monique L. |
"Love the book taught me how to meditate on the LORD." — Sarah O. |
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| 100 Favorite Bible Prayers |
Discover the life-changing power of conversation with God as you immerse yourself in the richest prayers of the Old and New Testaments. From Hannah's prayers for a child to Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, the prayers of Scripture remind us of God's longing for us to draw near to Him. |
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| This spiral-bound Daily Prayer Journal with botanical watercolor artwork is a perfect addition to your time with God. It includes 366 undated sections for entering prayer requests and answered prayers, with selected Bible verses and decorative verse pages throughout. Customize its use to your own needs: Start daily at the beginning of the year, or start any time and add prayers, gratitude, and praise as often as you desire in your quiet time. |
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| Do you find it difficult to turn to prayer when you need it most? Do you have trouble finding the words to capture exactly how you're feeling? Start with Prayer, by pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado, will give you the tools you need to feel more comfortable when you communicate with God. |
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| Do you want a richer, more robust prayer life? Your prayers are powerful! Learn how to pray with confidence, faith, and an awareness of the Holy Spirit as you draw from world-changing prayers from Scripture in this inspiring guide to a transformed spiritual life. The Prayer Code is the latest addition to O. S. Hawkins's bestselling series that includes The Joshua Code and The Jesus Code. |
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Perfect for Christmas! Save up to 53% on prayer resources for kids |
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| Words with God: 100 Days of Prayer and Journaling for Girls |
Does your tween need a safe place where they can be inspired and journal their reflections, prayers, and thoughts? Words with God includes 100 days of prayer inspiration to encourage bold, confident, and kind girls to speak freely to God. |
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| The Beginner's Bible: My First Book of Prayers |
The Beginner's Bible My First Book of Prayers helps young children discover that they can talk to God about anything from the beauty of creation to their friendships and emotions. Thankfulness, praise, and requests for God's help are all included. |
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| The Berenstain Bears My Bedtime Book of Poems and Prayers |
by Stan Berenstain, Mike Berenstain, & Jan Berenstain |
This padded board book collection brings the kind of warmth and love to storytime that only the beloved Berenstain Bears can deliver. Focusing on character traits and simple lessons and truths such as being a good friend, thankfulness, generosity, honesty, and bravery, these prayers and poems will enrich and grow the faith and prayer life of all the little cubs in your life. |
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| God Bless Our Bedtime Prayers |
by Hannah Hall & Steve Whitlow |
Join the adorable animal families as they learn to pray about every moment of the day—the fun times, the hard parts, and everything in between. Whether the animals ask God for help finding a toy or thank Him for the day's adventures, God Bless Our Bedtime Prayers will create a special, quiet bedtime routine of prayer and will instill God's Word in your children's hearts. |
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| Jesus Calling Little Book of Prayers |
Talking to God is easy! Featuring darling artwork alongside Scripture, a short message, and prayers on topics such as God's goodness, the importance of being kind, and how God makes our hearts happy, Jesus Calling® Little Book of Prayers will help even the littlest readers discover just how much God loves to hear from them. |
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Waiting Here for You Online Bible Study |
Waiting Here For You Online Bible Study |
"This study isn't just about waiting—it's about discovering the profound meaning behind the wait. Let's embrace this season of anticipation and experience the joy of His presence together." - Louie Join us in the weeks leading up to Christmas for the Waiting Here for You Online Bible Study - brand new from Pastor Louie Giglio. This is the perfect opportunity to press in and experience Advent in a fresh way. See you there? |
"This study isn't just about waiting—it's about discovering the profound meaning behind the wait. Let's embrace this season of anticipation and experience the joy of His presence together." - Louie Join us in the weeks leading up to Christmas for the Waiting Here for You Online Bible Study - brand new from Pastor Louie Giglio. This is the perfect opportunity to press in and experience Advent in a fresh way. See you there? |
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this devotion with someone who needs it today |
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