October Surprise, October Twenty-Third, 2023 - A Call to Thankfulness. Pt. 1

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Day 23 of our focus on the practical side of his, J.C. Ryle's advice to Christians who do pray, of course, from His book "A Call to Prayer.

Today, he calls us to thankfulness in our prayers, and the context precisely, in private prayers with our Savior.

The Words of Ryle:

"I commend to you the importance of thankfulness in prayer. I know well that asking God is one thing and praising God is another. But I see so close a connection between prayer and praise in the Bible, that I dare not call that true prayer in which thankfulness has no part. It is not for nothing that Paul says, "By prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Col. 4:2). It is of mercy that we are not in hell. It is of mercy that we have the hope of heaven. It is of mercy that we live in a land of spiritual light. It is of mercy that we have been called by the Spirit, and not left to reap the fruit of our own ways."

Two simple assignments. The first is:

"Called by the Spirit, and not left to reap the fruit of our own ways."

How often have I praised, and thanked God for not being left to my own disastrous devices?

The second:

Step 1:

Take about a blank piece of paper or a computer program that will add pages as you go. (You will need them)

Step 2:

Start with #1, and try to write an exhaustive list of everything you have to be thankful for. (I mean everything.)

(Hint: I've tried it, and within just a few minutes, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God, even to the point of paralyzation.)

Then, at www.freerangeprayer@gmail.com, write me and tell me how far you get.

"What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more."

Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard

www.frponprayer.com

freerangeprayer@gmail.com

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All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.

For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com

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Season 005

Episode 119