One of my favorite scriptures is 1 John 3:1a that says:

 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

 Do you realize the significance of this scripture?  Do you realize the great love God has lavished on us!  Our God is a great God and everything He does is great beyond our expectations.  He doesn’t simply give us blessings He “lavishes” us with blessings.  Our cups overflow.  Praise God!

Also, as children of God we are heirs to His Kingdom.  Jesus calls us brothers and sisters.  We are lavished with all the things that come from being a child of God.  He is our Heavenly Father.  He cares for us far more than we could even care for our children. This is a greater love than we can imagine. We have the assurance and comfort of knowing that we can call on Him at any time for anything and He will answer.

When we pray we shouldn’t just give God our “wish list.”  True prayer should include petitions and praises.  Yes, we should pray for ourselves and for others.  We should pray for forgiveness and mercy.  We should pray for the well-being of others, our church and our country and its leaders.  We know we can ask God for anything in the name of Jesus and it will be done.

As it says in John 14:13-14:

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

 So, when you pray, don’t just ask but give God praise and glory!  We have so much to be thankful for – we are children of God!