What I've Learned about Prayer and Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving. I wish to share what the 4 week prayer/thanksgiving campaign has meant to your HOPE for Families parents, teens and me.

We sat with a Mom one evening and prayed over her and her son. We encouraged Mom to run toward one of her fears. The Lord was there that night and heard our prayers and fears. Since we brought them to Him, our Lord showed Mom He was there. She faced her fear and received an unexplained blessing from the Lord.

One Dad has been updating us on his journey with restoring relationships with his children. The Lord has put some godly counseling in his journey and has been pouring out His blessings upon this family.

One of the teens is not exactly sure what a relationship with Jesus is like but is able to trust in us at House of Hope. We at House of Hope believe that we may be the only Jesus our teens see. With a childlike trust, the teen has taken the tools learned and applied it. The family has been enjoying more joyous moments than before.

As you know this campaign was placed on my heart a few weeks ago. I'm so grateful that I followed my heart. I learned much through this process. I truly believe the Lord prepared me for a few heavy duty events that occurred during this time. The details are not important, but I will tell you that both events did not hit me as hard as they may have before I put my faith in prayer and thanksgiving. I was able to draw strength from my Heavenly Father due to my growing trust in Him these past few weeks. As hard as the circumstances were, I DELIBERATLY found thanksgiving and blessings in them. Why you may ask, because I've learned that I can only do what I can but my Heavenly Father can do EVERYTHING.

Thanksgiving expresses our gratefulness to God for all that He has done for us. We are just letting our God know that we are thankful not only for the spiritual blessings of salvation, forgiveness and eternal life, but also realizing He is sending His blessings to us daily.

May our Heavenly Father pour out His blessings to you and your family on this wonderful day of Thanksgiving.