Prayer

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Remember

The passage encourages us to remember the good things God has done for us.

There are two reasons.

It is appropriate to have an attitude of gratitude.

The Psalmist remembers that God has forgiven his sins (vs. 3), healed diseases (vs. 3), saved him from death (vs 4), has shown steadfast love and mercy (vs 4), has given good things (vs 5).

These thing are good to remember. We should be thankful to God for all these things. They should produce an attitude of gratitude.

What harms gratitude?

Gratitude is lacking when we compare ourselves to others.

“Yes, I got some good things, but this other person got more.”

Gratitude is lacking when we need to be on top.

“Who cares what I have. So-and-so has more and I deserve it more.”

Gratitude is also lacking when we don’t feel grateful.

“I know I have a lot, but I don’t feel thankful, so I won’t say ‘thanks.’”

Gratitude is a statement of fact, not a statement of feelings.

Gratitude is also a motivator for prayer.

Remembering God’s benefits in the past give us motivation to pray.

If I have a plumber come and do work on my house, if that person does good work, I call them the next time I need them.

Prayer changes nothing

God changes everything.

Prayer doesn’t do anything, but God does. When we remember his benefits in the past, we are motivated to ask for help for today and for tomorrow.

I could say to you, “I stayed up all night and talked to my plumber. This is the 30th time I called him. I know he will come now and do the work I asked him to do.”

It’s not the telephone call. nor how long, nor how often; its the abilities of the plumber that are foremost in our minds.

I remember one writer saying, “When we believe God will answer, we need to stop asking and start thanking him.”

Let’s do a little exercise together.

Do you remember when you knew that God forgave all your sins through his death on the cross?

Do you remember when you prayed for anyone and God healed their diseases?

Do you remember any time that God saved you from death?

Do you remember any time that you felt God’s love and mercy in your life?

Do you remember any time that you looked around and said, “Thank you Lord for all the good you have brought into my life.” It might be a soul mate, children, a nice home, a fruitful ministry, a warm fireplace on a cold evening...

The Psalmist remembers that God has forgiven his sins and healed his diseases

Psalm 103:3 ESV

3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

The Psalmist remembers that God saved him from death and showed him steadfast love and mercy.

Psalm 103:4 ESV

4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

The Psalmist remember that God has given him good things

Psalm 103:5 ESV

5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

What is God going to do during the 40 Days of Love?

What would you like him to do? Has he ever done in the past what you want him to do now during the 40 Days?

The last time we had the 40 Days of Purpose several things happened.

First, God used the 40 Days of Purpose to clarify in the minds of many our purpose. I can’t recount the number of times that people have quoted the theme of those 40 Days by saying, “It’s not about me...” That truth stuck with us.

Can God do that again? Let’s ask him.

Second, God used the 40 Days of Purpose to build lasting friendships in small groups. Not every group had the same result, but many formed spiritual bonds that continue to this day. You have found people who will encourage you, pray for you, support you and check up on you.

Can God do that again? Let’s ask him.

Third, the last 40 Day focus caused us to look outside ourselves. We helped the Stetson Union Church with a need that small congregation had for a bathroom in their new building. We were able to give a sizable contribution to their needs.

Can God do that again? Can God use this to help us look outside ourselves and see the face of need on others? Let’s ask him.

This church has always been a loving church well before I ever came. Yet we can grow in our love. The Missions conference showed us what others are doing. We have shared needs and concerns here today. Do Jesus care about these needs? If he does, we should as well.

Can God help us grow in our love and concern for one another? Let’s ask him.

The God who has done great things in the past is here now to do great things in the present.