The 18th Day of Thanksgiving: Prayer

Late in the summer, I was driving close to home when I spotted an incredible sunflower, at least two feet across, bright yellow petals and all—and it looked like it was just smiling up at heaven. When I caught sight of that gorgeous flower, I found myself stunned by pure appreciation. “Heavenly Father!” I cried out, right there in my car (thank goodness I was alone). “Thank you for that gorgeous flower!"

Now, while I don’t always utter my thanks to God in such a manner, I’ll admit that I pray often and always—about anything and everything I see in my day that gives me joy, worry, concern, comfort, or reason to be grateful. The Lord is my constant companion, and I’ve grown up grateful to know that I’m never alone. Wherever I am, He will hear me. Knowing that, I talk to Him. A lot. And I find that the more I pray, the more I have to be grateful for and the more I am at peace. I thank the Lord for the simple gift of prayer, that wonderful connection between each of us and heaven—a silver thread that ties us to something greater than we are, to our future, to hope.