What Should We Be Most Grateful For This Thanksgiving?
"This Thanksgiving, I'm going to be most thankful for my family and friends because lots of people lost someone in their family or one of their friends on September 11," says Megan, 11. "My uncle was in a building that was very close to the World Trade Center. We are all very thankful that he is OK."
The September 11 terrorist attacks and the anthrax mailings have made a lot of people more grateful for loved ones and friends. We have a greater sense of our mortality. It's made us realize that even the best security measures and the smartest medical experts can't guarantee any of us one more day.
"We need to pray for the families whose loved ones were hurt or died in the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center," says Dalton, 9. Yes, September 11 has also made us more compassionate as our hearts ache and knees bend in prayer for families who have lost loved ones.
Here's a prayer written by Steve, 10: "Dear Lord, thank you for my dear family and that none of them have been hurt physically in this disastrous time. Thank you for my food, clothes and house. Lord, I especially pray for our police officers, our country and our wonderful, smart president. Give him wisdom to make the right choices.
"Please help the Afghans to become Christians and protect the innocent Afghans. Thank you for sending your son to die for us. Thank you for all my blessings. Amen!"
The Apostle Paul called for all Christians to pray for "kings and all who are in authority," (I Timothy 2:1). All Christians, regardless of their political persuasion, should pray for the president, his cabinet, the Congress, governors, military leaders, fire fighters, police officers and other government authorities.
Just because you can't fire a missile launcher doesn't mean you're a reject in the fight against evil. Try pulling the trigger in the spiritual realm by praying for those in authority. The Bible tells us there's a realm where demonic rulers war against God's angels and God's people for the control of nations (Daniel 10:4-14). The battle is hot, the casualties are real and the consequences eternal.
Let's be thankful for victory in the greatest battle, says Karla, 11: "This Thanksgiving, we should be grateful for what the Lord has done for us, and what he let his wonderful, loving son do for us. Jesus Christ gave his life for our sins without complaining or even worrying what would happen to him. Even though Jesus Christ died at 33, he still lives inside of all of us, if you let him in." I'm glad you made it clear, Karla, that Jesus lives today.
In times like these, be grateful that Jesus looked evil in the eye and didn't blink. When falsely accused at his trials, he didn't answer. When mocked and spit upon, he refused to retaliate. When nailed to a cross, he asked his Father to forgive his torturers. But when placed in a tomb after his murderers thought they had won, he burst the bonds of death to give life to all who believe in him to give them eternal life.
"This Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for being safe," says Shelby, 11. "I am part of a great American body and under God's control. I am thankful that God is a part of me, and I can trust he will take care of me. I will keep trusting God."
We are glad to be Americans, but we must remember that America is not unshakeable or eternal. Everyone who belongs to Jesus, however, is part of an everlasting kingdom. As the Bible says, "So let us be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken," (Hebrews 12:28).
Carey Kinsolving is a syndicated columnist, producer, author, speaker and website developer. To see more material like this, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. The Kids Talk About God website contains free, online content for children and families. See Carey’s Kid TV Interviews. Hear a book talk. Print free lessons from the "Kids Color Me Bible" and make your own book. Let an 11-year-old girl take you on a trip around the world in the Mission Explorers Streaming Video. Print Scripture verses illustrated by child artists. Receive a complimentary, weekly e-mail subscription to our Devotional Bible Lessons.
Bible quotations in this Bible lesson are from the International Children's Bible.
Copyright 2007 Carey Kinsolving