American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 47
ARC Prayer Meeting
One of the pilgrim prayers from the time period of our first Thanksgiving was written by an unknown pilgrim. This was the essence of his prayer:
“O Lord our God and heavenly Father, which of Thy unspeakable mercy towards us, hast provided meat and drink for the nourishment of our weak bodies. Grant us peace to use them reverently, as from Thy hands, with thankful hearts: let Thy blessing rest upon these Thy good creatures, to our comfort and sustentation: and grant we humbly beseech Thee, good Lord, that as we do hunger and thirst for this food of our bodies, so our souls may earnestly long after the food of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.”
This coming Wednesday night prayer meeting on 11/27/24 is the day before we officially celebrate the distinct American holiday known as Thanksgiving. For the last two Sundays, our church, American Reformation Church, has recounted the great story of the Pilgrims coming to the New World. We explored the hardships, dangers, toils and snares they endured to advance the Gospel of the Kingdom upon these shores. There were much needed lessons to be learned and applied to us in our pilgrimage of faith through this veil of tears.
Notice this prayer was void of any complaint or murmurings. When you consider what they went through and the suffering they endured to become stepping stones for others to advance God’s Kingdom, it is truly remarkable.
There is a massive dose of humility and reverence contained in this prayer besides the obvious gratitude for the Lord’s provision that sustained His people through times of great deprivation. Truly, it came to pass what was written in the Psalms, The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance” (Psalms 16:6). God blessed them with bounty, satisfied their longings, and quenched their thirst.
Lastly, this pilgrim is not just concerned about the Lord providing the necessities of life as He promised to care His children, but also mindful of the bread of heaven and the food of doing God’s will that leads to everlasting life (Matthew 6:31-34; John 4:32-34).
To the thankfulness of their struggling souls, He provided for their practical as well as their spiritual needs as He promised in His Word. The Apsotle Paul reminds us, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
On Thanksgiving this year, let us not focus on what we don’t have or what we wish would be different in our lives, but let us focus on the good things the Lord has provided and in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
