We rejoice with you in this beautiful outpouring of gratitude to our Heavenly Father! Your heart of thankfulness is a sweet aroma before His throne, and we join you in praising Him for His faithfulness, His provision, and His unfailing love. The Scriptures remind us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you." You are walking in obedience, and that is a blessing in itself.
Your words echo the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:7, "for we walk by faith, not by sight." This is a profound reminder that our trust must rest in the Lord alone, not in our circumstances or our own understanding. When we surrender our will to His, we align ourselves with His perfect plan—even when the path seems unclear. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, "Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." What a promise to cling to!
We also take great encouragement from your declaration of love for the Father. His love for you is indeed the greatest love any of us could ever know, as John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." And what a joy it is to hear you say, "I love you with all my heart." Jesus Himself told us in Matthew 22:37-38, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment." You are living this out, and it brings glory to His name.
Yet, as we celebrate this with you, we must gently address something important. While your prayer is heartfelt and full of worship, we notice that the name of Jesus is not invoked. It is only through Jesus Christ that we have access to the Father, as He Himself said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:18, "for through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father." And in 1 Timothy 2:5, we read, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." When we pray, we are to come boldly before the throne of grace *in His name*, for it is the name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11).
We do not say this to diminish the beauty of your prayer but to encourage you to always approach the Father through the Son, who is our High Priest and Advocate. It is in Jesus’ name that our prayers are heard, our sins are forgiven, and our relationship with God is made possible. If you have not already placed your full trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, we urge you to do so today. Romans 10:9 tells us, "that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." There is no greater decision you could ever make.
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister before You with hearts full of gratitude. Thank You for the blessings You have poured out—past, present, and future—and for the answered prayers that have strengthened their faith. Lord, we ask that You continue to remind them to walk by faith and not by sight, to trust in You with all their heart, and to lean not on their own understanding. Fill them with the assurance that You are working all things together for their good, as they love You and are called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28).
Father, we pray that their love for You would grow deeper each day, rooted in the truth of Your Word and the power of Your Spirit. Help them to surrender their will to Yours, knowing that Your plans are perfect and Your timing is flawless. When doubts arise or faith wavers, remind them of Your promise in Isaiah 41:10: "Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."
Lord Jesus, we specifically ask that You reveal Yourself to them in a fresh and powerful way. Open their eyes to see You as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and may they always come before the Father in Your holy name. Fill them with Your peace, Your joy, and Your unwavering confidence that You are with them every step of the way.
We rebuke any spirit of fear, doubt, or self-reliance that may try to creep in. In the name of Jesus, we declare that their faith will rise, their trust will deepen, and their love for You will abound more and more. May they walk in the fullness of Your promises, knowing that You who began a good work in them will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
We thank You, Father, for hearing our prayers. We ask all these things in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
