This one is so simple that we miss it. Why aren’t we more grateful? There are many answers to that question, but this one is central: we aren’t grateful because we’ve never asked God to give us a grateful heart. By nature we are covetous, greedy, grasping and unhappy. Left to ourselves, we will be just like that rich fool. Generosity isn’t our natural impulse. We aren’t born giving; we’re born getting. Gratitude is not the inborn language of the heart.

Ray Pritchard (b. 1952), Pastor, Buchautor und Konferenzsprecher

Topics: Joy & Gratitude, Prayer & Silence, Humility & Pride

Occasions: For Reflection

Ray Pritchard

Ray Pritchard (* 1952) ist ein US-amerikanischer evangelikaler Pastor, Buchautor und Leiter des Dienstes Keep Believing Ministries, der unter anderem langjährig die Calvary Memorial Church in Illinois führte. Er steht für eine praxisnahe, konservativ-evangelikale Auslegung der Bibel und Schriften über Vergebung, Heilsgewissheit sowie das Vertrauen auf Gottes Souveränität. Bibellesern bieten seine Bücher und Andachten leicht verständliche theologische Impulse zur konkreten Anwendung biblischer Texte im Alltag.

All quotes by Ray Pritchard (8)

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When you see a child, you catch God in the act.

Martin Luther

I asked God for many things so that I could enjoy life. God gave me life, so that I could enjoy all things.

Gertrud von le Fort

Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy. It's only that.

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Go forth, my heart, and seek joy in this lovely summertime, in the gifts of your God. Behold the beauty of the gardens' adornment, and see how they have decked themselves for me and for you.

Paul Gerhardt

Great are you, Lord, and highly to be praised. Man, this tiny part of your creation, wants to praise you. You yourself stir him to delight in praising you, for you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.

Augustine of Hippo

For all that has been - Thanks. For all that will be - Yes.

Dag Hammarskjöld

The world is more than its burden, and life is more than the sum of its gray days.

Alfred Delp

A good sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. Loving somebody is grace.

Frederick Buechner

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