An Openhanded God

An Openhanded God

You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:16, ESV

HAVE YOU NOTICED ALL THE ABUNDANT BLESSINGS God has given you? Many people don’t. Many of us walk around for years barely recognizing the exquisite beauty of the natural world; relationships that, no matter how imperfect, give us the love and support we crave; kindhearted people who do nice things for us; relatively healthy bodies that, in spite of a few pains and doctors’ visits, keep us breathing and thinking and feeling; fascinating varieties of tastes and sounds and smells; and so much more. People who have come face-to-face with death often live with a vastly heightened appreciation for each and every day. Yet we have that same opportunity without going through a crisis first. We live in a world that is filled with gifts from our God who always has an open hand.

We also live in a world that is fallen, flawed, and frustrating, and perhaps that’s why we don’t recognize the gifts around us. Human nature often zeroes in on whatever is wrong and needs fixing. But a heart of gratitude turns that nature around and focuses instead on the glory and beauty of our existence. Our praises orient our hearts toward the God of good things.

How does this relate to our life of faith and prayer? For one, it’s knowing the God we are praying to. But it’s also living with a spirit of wonder, which energizes our prayers in a way that our impression of the mundane day-to-day grind cannot. We pray eager, expectant prayers when we know this God and marvel at his creativity and generosity. Our prayers become an overflowing conversation rather than desperate pleas. They connect with the heart of the Father because they recognize who he is.

Immerse yourself in the generosity of God. Learn to recognize every single gift he has given, even if it is simply your next breath. Thank him for the people he has placed in your life, even if they rub you the wrong way at times. Enjoy today’s weather, even if it’s hotter, colder, or wetter than you prefer. Train your heart in the art of seeing blessings, and prayers for specific blessings will flow far more freely.

One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.