The pastor invited us to use "heart cards" as a significant part of this emphasis. We are being encouraged to identify persons who have blessed our lives and to express gratitude to them.
I had to smile as I pondered this invitation and emphasis. While I see it as genuine effort to grow disciples, I am saddened that it must be done at all. Thanksgiving, praise and blessing have become much too occasional and seasonal especially to the Lord.
Jews have long prayed the berakh (blessing), a brief prayer blessing God as the source of every good gift. Does this not sound like Paul? Certainly, he had this in mind when he exhorted Christians to give thanks to God always for everything.
In Jesus' time, the prayer began with the words "blessed is he..." Upon awaking, the faithful blessed the Lord for rising once again with an all-functioning body. As one dressed, he might exclaim "blessed is he who clothes the naked." And so it would go throughout the day.
To pray in this manner changes the pray-er. God will come alongside us as a real presence. And thanksgiving and praise will pervade our lives.
HT: Lois Tverberg
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