Especially Grateful

Scotty Smith:  A Prayer to Pray if You’re a Grateful Healed Sin-Leper

As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, ”Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ”Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, ”Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:12-19

Dear Lord Jesus, it’s the beginning of Thanksgiving week—a great week to pause, remember and reflect on the manifold reasons we have for giving thanks, especially to you. Of all the things for which I’m most grateful, being healed of the leprosy of my sin is right at the top. Like the stunned Samaritan who returned to give you praise, I throw myself at your feet today, filled with adoring love and overflowing with thanksgiving.

What can compare with this profound knowledge—with this astonishing assurance? All of my sins—past, present and future ones, have been completely washed away and eternally forgiven by you. By your wounds, I have been healed. By your grace, I have been saved. By your Spirit, I have been sealed. By your prayers, I am being changed. By your promise, I will be whole. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Jesus, because of you, I’m no longer afraid to die, but neither am I now afraid to live. I’m no longer dead in my sin and my trespasses, but fully alive to your mercies and compassions. I no longer wear fig leaves to hide from you; but your righteousness by which I run to you. I no longer live under condemnation, as a slave to my shame; I now live in your delight, as a prisoner of hope (Zech. 9:12). I’m no longer an orphan looking for a home; I’m now your beloved, with a home in your heart. I no longer strive to make a name for myself; I now want your name exalted above everything else.

Jesus, I’m sure I’ll eat a lot of good food this week (by your provision), and I certainly have many more good gifts from you (family and friends) and creature comforts for which to give you great thanks, but I am especially grateful this Thanksgiving for my salvation (all by your doing). So very Amen I pray in your name, with a humble and glad heart.