![\"prayer\"](\"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/prayer.jpg\")
<\/a>Now I don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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\u2019t just rote, rehearsed words.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Nehemiah mentioned God\u2019s graciousness when recalling Israel\u2019s rebellion. \u201cThey 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.\u201d <\/i>(Nehemiah 9:17 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I, like Israel, have rebelled against God. But because of His graciousness, He has never deserted me. He\u2019s continued to draw me back to Himself. What a wonderful reason to call Him gracious!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And yet another from the Old Testament. Isaiah speaks of God\u2019s longing to be gracious toward mankind. \u201cThe 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!\u201d<\/i> (Isaiah 30:18 \u2013 NIV) What wonderful words to cling to.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In the New Testament, we find many examples of why we should call God gracious. Take a look at these passages.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/i> (John 1:14 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/i> (Romans 3:22-24 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBy 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\u2014yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.\u201d<\/i> (1 Corinthians 15:10 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAll 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.\u201d<\/i> (2 Corinthians 4:15 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.\u201d<\/i> (2 Corinthians 12:9 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIn him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God\u2019s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.\u201d<\/i> (Ephesians 1:7-8 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMay 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.\u201d<\/i> (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: \u2018God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.\u2019\u201d<\/i> (James 4:6 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There are many more references to God\u2019s 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\u2019s done in my life and I must call out to my Gracious Father with words of sincerity.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/i> (Numbers 6:25 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Donna<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n