It is true that everyone in this world has one, two or more things to ask from God. This is because, as human beings we all have our crosses; you as a person must carry your cross and follow Christ. God did not promise us a cross free life. So, what do we do as individuals, when we are in need? We ask, right? Even in the Scriptures, it is written in Matthew 7:7-8a, Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened; For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks. Well, it’s okay to ask, now, have we thought of praising and thanking God for the one (free gift of life).
He gave you and I, without us asking for them. Let me surprise you, do you know that the air you are breathing in to stay alive is also a free gift from God? Are you also aware that, most of the things you have, is a gift and a privilege from God and not your right? Have you thought of this fact, that is not by your power, but by the special grace of God? Those that are in the hospital critically ill, those that are not living again, it’s not because you are holier than them that you are where you are now, or that you are smarter, or wiser, no, it’s by the special grace of God. Therefore, based on these few examples above, you and I owe God a lot of thanks and praises.
If you cannot remember anything at all, remember, He gave man another chance to have a good relationship with Him, through the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, to redeem man. Let’s look at it, in this dimension, imagine you, as a parent, you have a child you love so much, you are always buying expensive gifts for that child, just to make sure the child has all he/she needs and wants. Every day, this particular child keeps demanding gifts from you, because he/ she knows that whatever he/she asks from you, will be made available. This particular child will not say thanks or appreciate you for the gifts. The following day, the same child will come to ask for another one, including the irrelevant ones. As a parent, how will you feel compared to another child of yours that is always appreciating and showing gratitude in different ways, each time you gifted him/her.
This other child is also calling you all the time, staying at your side most of the time, thanking you for being there for him/her. Who are you going to do more for? Of course, if you ask me, I will say the second child. This might not be a perfect example to explain how it is between us and God, when we don’t always appreciate Him, but always ask. There are some examples in the Scriptures that can tell you how praise and worship to God can bring to us so many untold blessings and answers to our prayers. My first example is from John 11:41b states, “Father, I thank You for You have heard me” When Jesus was on earth, most of His prayers started with thanksgiving, just like the one John 11:41b, and other instances.
In psalm 100:4-5, says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the Lord the God is good and His love lasts forever, and His faithfulness through all generations. Psalm 138:1-3, says, “I thank You, O Lord, with all my heart, for You have heard the words of my lips; I sing your praise in the presence of the gods. I bow down towards Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for you have exalted above all things, Your name and Your promise. You answered me when I called, You made me strong and bold.
Praise Him in the vault of Heaven. Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him for all His greatness. Praise Him with trumpet blast, Praise Him with lyre and harp. Praise Him with dance and tambourines, Praise Him with pipe and strings. Praise Him with clanging of cymbals, let everything that breathes Praise the Lord Alleluia!” 2 chronicles 20:21-24, says, “Then, having held a conference with the people, he ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march at the head of the army, singing; “Give Praise to the Lord, for His love is everything.”
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord threw the invading armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir into a panic and they were defeated. For the Ammonites and Moabites turned on the people of Mount Seir in savage fighting and completely destroyed them. When they had exterminated the people of Seir, they began to kill one another. When the men of Judah reached the spot that overlooks the wilderness and looked towards the enemy camp, they found only dead bodies lying on the ground, no one had escaped.” These passages in the Bible has helped us realise the importance of praise and worship to God, especially in time of need. I know of a proverb that says, if you praise a warrior for what he did, he will do more. Even myself as a person, If I give you a gift and you didn’t appreciate, second time, you come again, and I give without you saying a common thank you.
The next time you will come, I will not give, because I assume that you don’t value my gifts. I feel this narrative is popular among us humans. In fact, to be honest, Our God is a compassionate, merciful and ever-present help in times of afflictions. He gives us, even when we do not deserve it or appreciate Him, because He is in the business of doing good. Our lives, Redemption and salvation on the cross, our talents and spiritual gifts, even physical gifts are all free gifts of God, without our gratitude. Therefore, it’s of paramount importance that we give thanks and praise to God at all times, even in difficult circumstances.
See what the Lord said in the book of Luke 17:17- 19, “Then Jesus said, “Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God but this foreigner? And Jesus said to him, “Get up and go your way; your faith has saved you”. Let’s look at this passage of the Scriptures closely, these ten lepers were healed by Jesus. Nine left after being healed, only one leper, healed with others, came back to Jesus, thanking Him and showing appreciation for his healing. This once a leper, now healed, was the only one out of ten that did not only receive healing, but also was saved. Let’s always be grateful to God both in our down and up moments.
This attitude is very crucial because it actually brings down untold and numerous miracles and blessings in our lives and situations. What this man did, is what I call offering of thanksgiving to God (Jesus from the heart). Also, if we go to the Old Testament, in the book of the bible 1 kings 3:4-5, states, “The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, because that was the most important high place, and on the altar, there he offered a thousand burnt offerings. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for anything that you want me to give you.
“In verse 10, the Lord was pleased, that Solomon had made this request ,”it’s at this point that Solomon asked for wisdom instead of wealth, fame and other good things of life. God gave Solomon wisdom, he asked for and other things; like wealth, fame, etc. In verse 15 of the same chapter, “Solomon woke up, and he realised that it was a dream. So he went to Jerusalem, and standing before the Ark of Covenant of the Lord, offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and gave a feast for all his servants.” If you ask me, in my own understanding, I will say, Solomon’s disposition of gratitude and thanksgiving to God, made him to give such number of offerings to Him, for making him king, by fulfilling His promise to his father David. This kind of attitude to God, will help us a lot in this new year. At this juncture, I conclude by making it clear, that God Almighty who created us, does not need our praises, thanksgiving and worship, because He is God and He is perfect in perfection.
He has Angels, (Rev 7:11- 12) says, “they then bowed before the throne with their faces to the ground to worship God. Verse 12, states, they said,”Amen, praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power and strength, to our God forever and ever, Amen.”.In verse 15, says; the choirs of angels in heaven continually worship God, so you see, our worship, thanksgiving and praises does not add anything to God’s glory and majesty. It’s we humans, you and I that gain from worshipping, praising and thanking Him.
We are doing it, because we are appreciating Him for all He has done for us in the past, present and future. Thereby reciprocating His love, He has lavished on us as His children, through getting closer to God in good and cordial relationship. May God help us to acknowledge His presence in our lives through praises, worship, thanksgiving and prayer always. Amen.
Benefits of praises and thanksgiving to God.
• You feel the presence of God.
• Peace, joy, happiness will always envelope you.
• It will help your faith to grow, assuring you that God is in control.
• Inner and spiritual strength is made available.
• Bitterness, complain, blames and unforgiveness will be far away.
• Healthy life style is acquired.
• Helps you build a positive mindset.
• And many other blessings and graces.
Ways to help us imbibe grateful attitudes, which leads to praises and thanksgiving to God.
• Avoid company of unbelievers, bad companies, wrong advisers.
• Stay away from negativities, like fights, worries, etc.
• Pray at all times.
• Be positive.
• Focus on God not your situation or your past.
• Wake up every day being grateful to God.
• Create time for Masses, church activities, visits to Blessed Sacrament.
• Study the word of God every day and meditate on them.
• And more… Prayer: Father Almighty, I am very grateful for all the things you have done for me, both in my past, my present and the one you will do in future. May your name be exalted, praised and adored both now and forever. Have mercy upon me and forgive all my sins. Give me the grace to always count my blessings and be focused on you all the days of my life. Amen.
• Chioma Nwodo is a parishioner of the Catholic Church of Visitation, Festac Town, Lagos.
