Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. John 11:41

It is Thanksgiving. Today we’ll spend time with families and friends and be thankful for our numerous blessings. We’ll visit, watch football or play games. We’ll definitely eat too much at dinner and then squeeze in room for pies, dessert and even a turkey sandwich at night. Thanksgiving Day is nothing less than a day of excess. Today I will be thankful for all the blessings of living in this country. Despite all the negativity about our political and social state of affairs, we have more than 99% of the world. We dare not be ingrates. I am grateful for those blessings. Hopefully, we will also remember to “praise God from Whom all our blessings flow.” And overflow.

On the wall of my prayer room, aka my home office, there’s a collage of blue Post- its which I stuck there randomly the last six seven months. They are my written out personal morning prayers. After seeing the movie “War Room,” I decided to do as Miss Clara did. During my quiet time with God, when special prayers come, I write them out and put them on the walls.

Yesterday I had trouble praying. I didn’t know what to pray and could not concentrate. It felt like a chore rather than special time with the Lord. Surely I was wearying Him with the same old requests and praises. After just a few minutes, I was ready to leave. But God has His own way of doing things.  I looked over at the wall and reread prayers I had written:

Prayers for Dan’s and my health.  Prayers for God’s protection of our children and grandchildren. Prayers for relationships, for healing and for transitions. Prayers that unsaved family would encounter Jesus. Prayers for church and for our pastors. Prayers accompanied by praise, tears, whining , off- key songs and some times angry arguments. The list is extensive.

The blue papers stick to the wall like scattered puzzle pieces, seemingly random, but a pattern emerges. Each paper prayer is a mini story about what was going on in my life at the time and my need for God in those moments. Now, tearfully and joyfully, I realize that almost every prayer has been answered , some directly and visibly, others still in process. On the wall is undeniable proof that God does indeed hear us and see us. He inclines His ear to us like a Father to a child. His Hand is upon us all the time. He knows and loves us beyond comprehension. My Post-its are paragraphs of a story being written out.  Each scrap of blue paper offers my words to God and is an ongoing dialogue between the Lord and this supplicant. I pray/write. The Lord responds perfectly each time. A divine narrative is being told  right in front of me.  Prayers on the wall which haven’t been fully answered yet are part of the story. They will be answered in time. Jesus promised us the same.

But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” John 11:22

This very second our prayers are being heard. Nothing escapes God’s willingness to respond to those who seek Him. What can one say to that?

Today let’s  say thank you. Thank our God for His indescribable loving kindness. More than family, food and friends, I thank the Father who meets with me whenever and wherever I pray, not just in the morning. I thank Him for the still small Voice answering my heart’s longings. Most of all I thank Jesus for sacrificing Himself so that now, in my prayer room, I am free to write my heart out before Him.