How empty are our conceptions of Deity! We admit theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, and Prayerful ingratitude. omnipresent; and then we try to give information to this infinite Mind, and we plead for unmerited pardon, and a liberal outpouring of benefactions. Are we really grateful for the good already received! Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.
If we are ungrateful for Life, Truth, and Love, and yet return thanks to God for all blessings, we are insincere, and incur the sharp censure our Master pronounces on hypocrites. In such a case the only acceptable prayer is to put the finger on the lips and remember our blessings. While the heart is far from divine Truth and Love, we cannot conceal the ingratitude of barren lives, for God knoweth all things.
What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, Efficacious petitions. and good deeds. To keep the commandments of our Master, and follow his example, is our proper debt to him, and the only worthy evidence of our gratitude for all he has done. Outward worship is not of itself sufficient to express loyal and heartfelt gratitude, since he has said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
The habitual struggle to be always good is unceasing prayer. Its motives are made manifest in the blessings they bring, — which, if not acknowledged in audible words, attest our worthiness to be made partakers of Love.
