“As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”” Luke 17:12-19
How many times in prayer have you come to God? How many of those prayers have been answered? How many times have you thanked God for answering those prayers?
In fact, how many times do we even recognize that God answered that prayer?
My wife and I had a discussion about this topic, specifically to recognize answered prayers and thank God. When our kids were graduating high school, we prayed for a couple of friends to come into our lives who had our values and love of God. Within a short time, we were invited to be part of a Bible study with three other fantastic couples and our pastor. That study didn’t last long but we became close to one other couple who have become life friends. With them, we started another marriage enrichment group. Inviting a couple other couples at first, this group quickly grew to 12 other couples. We asked for some close friends and God answered over our expectations. These couples are dearest to our hearts and will be friends through life and I pray we can praise God together beyond.
I remember one when I was a teen, before I knew God. I was riding my bike and inched to the side because a bus was coming behind me. The pedal hit the curb and I felt the bike kick out at an angle into the street. Somehow I righted the bike as the bus passes. I friend behind me asked how I managed that feat. He said the bike rolled to over sixty degrees angle into the street, my elbow was nearly hitting the ground when suddenly the bike righted and stood straight just before the bus crossed me.
It is critical that we see what God is doing in our lives. To recognize the prayers we prayed that He answers as well as the unasked prayers that He answers before we even know to pray them. It is especially important to recognize God’s answers and blessings in our lives, turning back to Him and thanking Him like the one leper did.
Take time today to look back at your life at the answered prayers, then thank God for His grace and love. No matter how long ago the prayer was answered, thank Him. For the bike moments and healings and smallest answered prayers, thank God today. Then, thank God for every answered and unanswered prayer as you go through the day.
Learn to recognize His touch in your life and in the moments.