There are many times I ask God to grant me things in my prayers. Some of my requests are so preposterous and impossible I would wonder why I am even asking God for them. But usually God would give them anyway, maybe not right away or maybe in some slightly different form. Sometimes, I ask for things I myself would not believe possible; but they would happen anyway. At other times, I ask for things I could do for myself and in shame and guilt I would end up doing them myself.
I always try to thank God to all my answered prayers but there are many times I forget or just take things given to me for granted or even consider them as my entitlements. Often, during the day, when in the midst of all the bustle and flurry of daily life my mind strays to think of God for a moment, I say a little prayer of “Thank you, Lord.” for this moment, for just being here, for being alive.
Prayers is not only about asking. It is not only about asking and thanking. Even as a child, I had been taught that praying is talking to God. I look at the world around in wonderment and amazement at all the beauty and awesomeness in it, and I break out into praise and worship of Him who created it all. I gaze at the night sky and the stars and I try to reach out of the light simmering in the darkness, hoping to touch the Source of infinite light.
I find the most interesting conversations I have with God are those where I talk to Him about the people in my life. I thank God for the gift of their presence in my life. I tell Him the things we have done together or have talked about. I ask God to grant the fondest wishes and the most cherished dreams in their hearts. I pray for their health, their safety and their happiness. I pray that God keep us all in the palm of His hands.