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Key Bible Verse: … to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God (Ecclesiastes 5:19b). Bonus Reading: Ecclesiastes 5

When my wife and I ate lunch with friends visiting from another state, the husband looked more relaxed than I'd seen him in a long time. I soon learned the reason. He'd heard a minister challenge his listeners to pray a prayer at the beginning of each day for 21 days straight. My friend—I'll call him Sam—said he'd tried it—praying the moment he woke up—and that it had made a profound difference.

Before he began the day with the prayer, his wife chimed in, Sam often returned home tense. Now, Sam came home relaxed and in a good mood.

The prayer goes: Heavenly Father, You're in charge of everything that's going to happen to me today—whether it be good or bad, positive or negative. Please make me thankful for everything that happens to me today. Amen.

"This prayer doesn't change anything outside of me," my friend explained, "but it changes everything inside of me. My circumstances don't change; my attitude does."

I challenge you to pray Sam's prayer for the next 21 days. See if the Lord doesn't work miracles in your heart.

—Ray Pritchard in Something New Under the Sun

• Are you a thankful person? How have you experienced joy from God even during hard times?

Thought to Apply: O Thou who hast given us so much, mercifully grant us one more thing—a grateful heart.

—GEORGE HERBERT (English pastor and poet, 17th century)

Credits: Adapted from —Wednesday: Something New Under the Sun (Moody Bible Institute, 1998)

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Prayer for the Week

Jesus, fill me with the abundant life promised in Your Word. Give me Your wisdom to live well.

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