Thanksgiving For Answered Prayer

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,

and I will go in and thank the LORD.

These gates lead to the presence of the LORD,

and the godly enter there.

I thank you for answering my prayer

and giving me victory!

Psalm 118:19-21

This psalm pictures a victorious yet battle-weary king at the helm of a throng of grateful people entering the gates of the Temple to thank God for their victory. During those times, the Temple represented God’s presence—the place where his followers would go to pray to the Lord. Today, we enter into God’s presence in a car, at work, or in the aisles of a grocery store—wherever we take time to pray to him. We can be sure God hears our prayers and answers each one wherever and whenever they are uttered. And by doing so, he gives us even more reasons to pray.

Just like the victorious king in this psalm, we should enter God’s presence by thanking him for answering our prayers. What answers to prayer are you thankful for today?

• Dear Lord, I thank you for answering my prayers . . .