getting from god - giving to god

When you read the prayer of Daniel that landed him in the lion’s den you discover that it is full of praise and thanksgiving. Stop for a second. Let's think about Daniel's situation. He's in his 80's. He lives in Persia where he has been since he was taken captive by force as a teenager. He's been stripped from his family and friends and has lived his life in a strange, heathen culture. Now he’s surrounded by political enemies who want to destroy him and he is on the verge of becoming lion’s food. Yet, even in that situation Daniel's prayer life is filled with giving thanks to God. I think Daniel figured out something that I'm still trying to learn. Daniel learned what it really meant to trust God, even when the bottom drops out of your life. All too often we view prayer as simply getting from God and that's an important element. But I think sometimes we forget that prayer is also giving to God. How much time did you spend this week in your prayer life thanking God for His goodness even in the midst of hardship? How much time did you spend this week praising and worshiping God in prayer? Prayer isn't just getting from God. Prayer is also giving to God.