Key Bible Verse: To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—that is indeed a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 5:19b). Bonus Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12; 5:18-20

When my wife and I ate lunch with visiting friends, the husband looked more relaxed than I'd seen him in years. I soon learned the reason. A minister had challenged his listeners to pray a prayer at the start of 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 over events of the day. Now, she noted, Sam would come 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. My circumstances don't change; my attitude does."

All that comes our way arrives via heaven. I challenge you to pray Sam's prayer for the next 21 days. See if the Lord doesn't work miracles inside your heart.

—Ray Pritchard in Something New Under the Sun

My Response: Am I a thankful person? How have I 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)

Adapted from Something New Under the Sun (Moody, 1998) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

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

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