Scripture:

He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done... Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?..” Luke 17:12-17

One day, Jesus healed 10 lepers of their disease. As loving and kind as our Savior is, He noticed that only one leper thanked Him. Do you ever forget to tell God thank you?

Don’t forget what Jesus has done for you
Sometimes we pray for months or years to the Father asking for a job, a home or a child. Year after year Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, longed to be a mother. Finally, the blessing came and God gave her John the Baptist as her son. Her husband, Zechariah, gave God thanks and praise in this prayer: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel...And you my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way of the Lord.” Luke 1:68, 76.

Once we receive a blessing, we can be so involved with the gift that we forget to thank God—just like nine of the lepers did. But “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” Luke 17:15 Each day, sit down and think about the great things God has done for you. Then, go back to Him and give thanks.

How do you begin your day?
I want to start my day and end my day with appreciation and thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus. Ephesians 5:20 tells us to “...give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Do you add praise to your thanksgiving prayer?
When God does amazing things, it reminds us of how great He is. When that happens, we can add praise to our thanksgiving. A great prayer of praise and thanksgiving is Mary’s song of praise. Mary, an ordinary woman, was scorned by many as she carried Jesus in her womb. Though her situation was not ordinary, she gave thanksgiving and praise to the Lord by saying: “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He took notice of His lowly servant girl...generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and He has done great things for me.” Luke 1:46-49