“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” (Meister Eckhart)
Saying thank you to God, or whomever your Higher Power is, can often feel quite difficult to do during those trying times in life, especially when they’ve gone on for a good while. But the reality is there’s always plenty to be thankful for, even when everything seems to not be going so well. Unfortunately, it’s just hard to see those things sometimes when the focus is on everything else that appears to be falling apart in our lives. In my case, while I may be struggling on most days to feel well in my mind and body, I still do practice thankfulness as much as I can. Thankfulness for even the basic of necessities in life such as food, water, and shelter, as I’ve never gone without any of them. Thankfulness for my partner who’s stuck by my side through thick and thin Thankfulness for those friends who continue to lift me up in their own prayers on a daily basis. Thankfulness for my eyesight, hearing and the rest of my senses, as each continue to work well for me. And thankfulness for every moment I experience in nature that brings me just a little bit closer to God, like when a dragonfly lands and perches itself gracefully on my hand. These are but a few of the many things I have to be thankful for, even on those days when my world seems to be coming undone. The reality is I have an incredible amount to be thankful for on any given day, and that’s why it’s so important to remember that saying thank you is sometimes the only prayer that needed in our lives.
I pray to always practice giving thanks to God, even during the most difficult times in life, as I know God continues to bless me with abundance, even when my mind chooses to tell me otherwise.
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
Andrew, thank you for sharing the fact that being thankful and expressing gratitude is in of itself a prayer to God. It’s so easy to take things for granted and focus on the things we don’t have as opposed to being grateful for what we do have and the many blessings God bestows upon each of us every day. God bless and peace be with you always…
Cedric K. Saunders
Thanks Cedric my brother! So grateful to know and have you a part of my life so close… Love you!
It takes a humble person to express their gratitude and thankfulness to everyone publicly. This is one of the many qualities that I love about you. Love you Sparky!
My take on this is that if one turns one’s life over to God, the only prayer necessary is, “Thank You.” Anything else is giving God directions – meaning one has not fully surrendered. So, when I say, “God, I need help with…” I’m really saying, “God, I don’t believe you are helping me right now.” I know deep down that God always has my best interests at heart and is always with me. However, God and I sometimes differ on what constitutes my best interests. So, I ask God for help not because God needs to be reminded, but because I need to remember Who is really in charge.
Sometimes I get mad at God. I tell him that I think He’s an ass and the path he has me on sucks. Does He really know what He’s doing? The answer I get is usually radio silence, which translates to a big, “Yes I know what I am doing!!” Sometimes I hear a faint chuckle in the distance letting me know God still loves me no matter how angry I get.
Loved your response today! Thank you so much for your insight today!!!