Thanking Him in Advance

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” John 11:41 (New King James Version)

God is once again revealing truth to me through His Word. As many times as I have read the account of Lazarus being raised from the dead I have missed a huge aspect of Jesus’ prayer. He is giving thanks BEFORE the miracle occurs! That is not usually the case with me. I have a tendency to hold off the praise and thanksgiving until after I see the answer of my prayers manifested. In doing that, I have missed out on an essence of intimacy, faith, and interaction with God.

How different my prayer sounded this morning as I began to review the things I have been asking of God and changing them from petitions to praises. Thanking Him for all that He has yet to do in my life. Thanking Him for internal healings not yet accomplished. Thanking Him for the revelations of Himself that are not yet seen. Thanking Him for the filling of many holes still in me. Thanking Him for all He will do between now and eternity. Thanking Him for the places He will eventually take me to. Thanking Him for broken chains of bondage. Thanking Him for freedom from mindsets that keep setting me back. Thanking Him for victories that will one day be mine.

The list is endless by my point is this: when I start thanking God ahead of time for answers to my prayers my faith and trust in Him come alive. I no longer feel it is all just a big waiting and guessing game. It becomes a time of active participation and anticipation that strengthens me and glorifies Him. It switches my focus from my problems to God’s power, provision, and potential. This does not mean I do not ask for things. What it means is once I have asked I then have things to start thanking Him for.

Dear Reader, I invite you to do what I am doing. Review those things that you have been crying out to God to do and begin thanking Him for the way He will intervene on your behalf. Thank Him for the healings, help, and wholeness that will come from His hands to your life. Then as you begin to see His answers manifested, the praise and thanksgiving will be even more profound. I am amazed at the internal shift that takes place as the words of thanksgiving pour out of my mouth.

Father, thank you for what is yet to come! Amen.