Spiritual Discipline

So, whatever may come my way, good or bad, I equally tackle it, always giving thanks to God, Who granted me unlimited faith in Him, and Who helped me so that, ignorant as I am, I might in these final days dare to undertake this work, so holy and so wonderful.

  - Patrick, Confession (Irish, 5th century)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

  - 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18

Don't miss that part about God's will for you: It is God's will for you that you give thanks in all circumstances. You may not feel thankful on some occasions, but that's just your finite and human response to the limited insight you have at the moment. You don't have to feel thankful in order to give thanks.

In order to give thanks (1) you must believe this is God's will for you, and that (2) power and blessing await you in the performance of God's will, so that (3) you actually stop whatever you're doing, regardless of how you may feel, and verbally give thanks to God.

Patrick, we can imagine, had some real trepidation heading back to Ireland, after having been a slave there for six years. But God had called him, and he had no doubt. His family and pastor opposed him, but he went anyway, giving thanks, as he says, in spite of the fears and disappointment he must have felt.

By so doing he learned "always" to give thanks to God - as he says a bit before this paragraph, "tirelessly" giving thanks to the Lord. He knew God loved Him and would care for Him. He believed that God does all things well and causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. And, while he could not deny his disappointment and fear, giving thanks brought him the power to obey his calling, and sustained him during some very difficult times during his ministry in Ireland.

It's not a stretch to say that the Celtic Revival, that 400-year period of evangelism, cultural and ecclesiastical renewal, and far-flung missions, began and was sustained by the prayers of thanksgiving of Patrick and those who came after him.

What might God do if we took up Patrick's example and Paul's command and began to construct an aura of thanksgiving around every area of our lives? How might that affect our confidence in the Lord? Our boldness as witnesses? The manifestation of our hope before the people we meet each day? Could our prayers of thanksgiving touch off the next Great Awakening?

Shall we try it and see?

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

ReVision - What do pragmatists and the Dread Pirate Roberts have in common?

Mentoring - Pastor, use this summer to revive your spiritual life, develop some new ministry skills, improve your preaching, or just make a new friend. Write me for information about how a Fellowship of Ailbe mentoring relationship can help you.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.