Occasionally I pick up a book that I know I am not going to agree
with on theological issues, but that has intrigued me on some level. Here
is an example. The title is Help Thanks Wow. The subtitle is
The Three Essential Prayers. The dust jacket says these three prayers are
asking for assistance, appreciating the good we witness, and feeling awe at the
world.
So the first is Help. Looking at
Scripture, asking for help is definitely part of prayer.
Philippians 4:6, Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.
Matthew 6:11, Give us this day our daily
bread.
James 1:5, But if any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and
it will be given to him.
So we say Help.
The second word is Thanks.
I Thessalonians 5:18, In everything give
thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 1:16, I do not cease giving
thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers.
Ephesians 5:20, Always giving thanks for
all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.
Psalm 92:1, It is good to give thanks to
the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High.
I think this second word, Thanks, is the
most difficult of the three because we are told to give thanks for
everything. I can give thanks for most things, but some things are
difficult to be thankful for.
This third word, Wow, I think primarily
should be used for God Himself, but also for the works of His creation, which
cause us to praise Him. We have an awesome God.
I Chronicles 29:11-13, Thine, O Lord, is
the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty,
indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth: Thine is the
dominion, O Lord, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all. Both riches and
honor come from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and
might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.
Now therefore, our God, we thank ‘Thee, and praise Thy glorious name.
Psalm 66:1, 2 and 5, Shout joyfully to
God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious.
Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of
men.
Stand in awe with me. Wow!
So here are my thoughts on Help, Thanks,
and Wow. I have meditated less on Wow than on the other two. May I
learn to include all three in my prayers.
~~Faith Himes Lamb
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