APR 22

Matthew 6:9-13
Memorise Matthew 6:13
“For thine is the kingdom… forever.”

The Lord’s Prayer ends with praise, proclaiming God as the glorious King over all things. It praises and acknowledges God as having supreme right and authority over the whole universe. The words “and the power” refers to God’s infinite ability to perform His will in heaven and earth. Because He is the Almighty, He has the ability to do whatsoever He pleases. He never slumbers nor sleeps and nothing is too hard for Him. He must also be praised for all glory and honour belongs to Him, as He is the God who answers prayers.

Praise and thanksgiving is the logical conclusion to all our prayers since God is the One who has given us all things including eternal life and all material blessings. When we do not give thanks to Him, we are guilty of being ungrateful and unthankful. We are actually complaining that God has not given or loved us enough. Thus we sinned against God. The truth is that, “…God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). If we are truly saved, we know that we will never fully realise how immeasurable is God’s loves for us. We also realise that even if we thank Him every day and every hour, we can never thank Him enough. A child of God cannot but give thanks out of a grateful heart for we know that we are not worthy of His great love for us.

Give thanks every day and in all circumstances. This is pleasing to God. Give thanks for the blessing of salvation. Not only are all our sins forgiven and our souls saved, we are given a place in heaven that we might live eternally. Even now, God is constantly caring for us and loving us. Give thanks for home and family. Give thanks that there is peace and plenty where we live, for many around the world suffer from earthquakes, typhoons, famines and war. Give thanks too for every opportunity to do good and to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords. Indeed His blessings cannot be numbered! When we do so, we are rendering all due glory to His name, for He alone is the God who has done all these things for us.

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Thought: Humility is the good ground where thankfulness grows.
Prayer: Father in heaven, I give You all thanks and praise for Thy goodness to Your children.