In this season of Thanksgiving, we are especially mindful of everything we are grateful. Interestingly, there are several passages in the Gospels that specifically mention Jesus giving thanks. Because He is our perfect example, we can learn from Him. In John chapter 11, Jesus gives thanks for answered prayer.
You’re no doubt familiar with the moment. Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died and after a purposeful delay, Jesus arrives at the tomb. The air is palpably alive with anticipation. What will the rabbi say? What will He do? Is there anything He can do?
Here is what Jesus did:
So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. (John 11:41 NAS)
Before the miracle of raising Lazarus, Jesus prays to God as if it were already accomplished.
Thanks for answered prayer demonstrates Jesus’s lifestyle of prayer.
Jesus’s first prayer for Lazarus wasn’t there at the tomb. Clearly He had already interceded for Lazarus, for his sisters, for those who would witness the coming miracle. No doubt He had prayed for God to be glorified (v. 40) and that the crowds would believe (v. 42), because He reaffirms those. We, too, can develop a lifestyle of prayer, such that the prayers we offer in dire situations reflect what we have already been praying for.
Thanks for answered prayer demonstrates Jesus’s faith in the Father.
It may sound strange to say that Jesus had faith in the Father. Jesus was confident that the Father heard the prayers Jesus spoke. Further, Jesus was supremely confident that the Father could and would take action. While we don’t have that perfect insight into the heart and mind of the Father like Jesus has, we can still cultivate a confidence that the Father will act in accordance with His purposes.
Thanks for answered prayer demonstrates surrender to the Father’s will.
While it’s true we don’t have the unique connection Jesus enjoyed with His Father, His thanks nonetheless models for us to be thankful BEFORE the answer is clear. If we are only thankful after things work out the way we want, then perhaps we’re only thankful we got our way.
Prayer is an amazing opportunity to speak to the Creator of the universe. It’s yet another way He demonstrates His great love for us. Let’s be intentional about our thanks for God’s willingness to hear us as well as for answered prayer, no matter what the answer is.