Do you ever get in a rut? You know, do the same thing. Say the same thing. Recall the same things.

Last year, a dear friend noted the beginning of public prayers by those she was with the most. I happened to be one of those people. She noted that I always started my prayers with “Gracious Father.” It’s true. I do. And to be honest, it’s a habit. It’s the familiar words that flow from my lips.

Now I don’t think they are the worst words to open my prayer time with God, but I believe that by offering this same greeting to God my Father each time, it does loose some of the meaning behind these kind words.

So I thought today I would point out some the graciousness of my heavenly Father and what it means in my life so that when I say these words, they aren’t just rote, rehearsed words.

Nehemiah mentioned God’s graciousness when recalling Israel’s rebellion. “They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them.” (Nehemiah 9:17 – NIV)

I, like Israel, have rebelled against God. But because of His graciousness, He has never deserted me. He’s continued to draw me back to Himself. What a wonderful reason to call Him gracious!

And yet another from the Old Testament. Isaiah speaks of God’s longing to be gracious toward mankind. “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18 – NIV) What wonderful words to cling to.

In the New Testament, we find many examples of why we should call God gracious. Take a look at these passages.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 – NIV)

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24 – NIV)

“By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10 – NIV)

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15 – NIV)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 – NIV)

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:7-8 – NIV)

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 – NIV)

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6 – NIV)

There are many more references to God’s grace and graciousness in His Word, but these are enough to remind me that my words cannot simply be words. I must continually be reminded that I am blessed because of His graciousness. I must praise God for all He’s done in my life and I must call out to my Gracious Father with words of sincerity.

Today I thank God for all the gifts He has lavished upon me. I pray that you will be blessed by His graciousness as well.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:25 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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