In 25 years of ministry with homeless people, one of the greatest lessons I have learned is gratitude for the little things. I thought I would share with you what I’m thankful for first thing in the morning. But instead of just being thankful, I thought it might be a more fulfilling exercise to pray for others who don’t share my blessings.
I’m thankful I woke up this morning in a warm house.
- I pray for the families of those who recently lost a loved one.
- I pray for those who have to work long hours or who are going through trials and got no sleep.
- I pray for those who have no home and for those who can’t afford to heat their homes.
I’m thankful for my wife, who is sleeping beside me, and my daughter, still asleep in her room.
- I pray for people who are lonely.
I’m thankful I got out of bed.
- I pray for those who sleep on the streets and have no bed
- I pray for those who are bedridden. Lord grant them peace and strength.
I’m thankful for going to the bathroom (no, I’m not kidding)
- I pray for those who can’t walk to their bathrooms or anywhere.
- I pray for those who call a stream or a hole in the ground their bathroom.
- I pray for those who suffer from infirmities that take away life’s most basic functions.
I’m thankful for hot coffee and a tall glass of clean water.
- I pray for those who have little in this world to give them comfort or pleasure.
- I pray for those who must drink contaminated water and suffer the diseases that it gives them.
I’m thankful for the Bible I get to read every day.
- I pray for those who have never read this love letter from God
- I pray for those who have read the Bible and have rejected its wonderful message.
- I pray for those who earnestly desire a Bible but can’t get one.
I’m thankful for my relationship with Jesus and the opportunity to spend time with Him each day.
- I pray for those who have never heard the Good News.
- I pray for missionaries and evangelists who spread the Gospel around the world.
- I pray for those who have turned their backs on the most beautiful relationship a human can experience.
- I pray for people who do not have the freedom to worship God.
I’m thankful for the Holy Spirit, who leads me, guides me and strengthens me.
- I pray for those who are wandering aimlessly through life. Lord, grant them purpose.
- I pray for people who try to live their lives without following the Lord’s leading.
I’m thankful for my brief workout in the morning.
- I pray for those who have lost the use of their limbs and who suffer from other conditions that prevent them from doing even the most basic things in life.
I’m thankful for eggs and fruit for breakfast.
- I pray for people who might go through this day with no food.
That covers the first couple of hours of my day. I think the full day would be a rather lengthy blog, but you get the idea.
Take time to be thankful for the little things and say a prayer for those who can’t share your blessings.
God’s grace to you,
Steve Jennings, Executive Director