We are in a battle. Most days, something occurs that is enough to make any reasonable person wonder if we’re winning. When I see the suffering of victims of religious massacres across Africa, in Israel, and among the nations, it is far from easy to live authentically according to the passage: in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Who is praying on the wall?

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Luke 17 recounts when Yeshua heals ten men who were suffering with leprosy, and only one returns afterward to give Him thanks. In modern lay terms, I imagine the other nine lepers being healed of their infection and any active lesions and budding growths, but still scarred, and able to return to society only in a marginal way. Despite this, that tenth one knew he needed to get close enough to bow down and kiss the feet of the One who cared enough to relieve his acute pain. His reward? Not only was he healed, with his infection, wounds, and scars cured, but Yeshua also restored everything he’d lost — his relationships, his faith, his joy, and his personal testimony of the faithfulness of God — all restored because he had expressed pure gratitude in the midst of what was still going to be an unpleasant life.

We have persisted in our petitions to God for exposure of every wicked thing and for the shaking of all things that need shaking, thus readying us for the coming revival and awakening, and for the ultimate return of Yeshua. God has heard the cries of the intercessors, and He is answering our prayers. The spiritual challenge lies in our ability to remain faithful and thankful until. Instead of a bully-busting confrontation by a powerful heavenly army, our refining process has felt more like a body battling a flesh-eating infection, with two new lesions springing up for every one lesion that is healed. Although the initial results of all of the following have felt like new lesions, we also have the blessed hope that exposure is the beginning of judgment and restoration.

• Barack Obama’s administration removed bandages that had been shielding the divisiveness and corruption of America.
• Donald Trump’s unlikely election exposed the depth of the deep state and occult infiltration into every sphere of U.S. society and led to the overturn of Roe v. Wade.
• In-your-face election fraud has coalesced to become support for many lone warriors who have battled for years with little prayer covering and support.
• Cultural wars are shaking, exposing, and refining churchdom.
• The true nature of many of America’s leaders and influencers is being exposed.
• Goat nations and sheep nations are aligning themselves and are being separated.
• Sources of hatred who have lived comfortably, being enriched on the backs of Americans, are no longer hidden.
• The system of child abuse and indoctrination permeating the public schools is being exposed and dismantled.

Although these are still unhealed, festering lesions, in all of these things we have learned how to pray for our neighbors, how to cover our family, and how to contend for the faith, and we have grown in our intimacy with Christ. We are winning! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! Believing that our Lord is going to restore all things in the future, though He tarries, what would you like to thank God for right now?

LORD, we pay our vows and sacrifices of thanksgiving to You for having chosen us to partner with You! Our gratitude is more than words can express. We love You because You are good and because You do good!

Share your own expressions of gratitude here below — and inspire the gratitude of others!

Mavourene Robinson began in full-time ministry in 2014, campaigning for the Howard County Public Schools’ Board of Education in 2017–2018, and for the Maryland Senate in 2022. A lifelong learner about the intersections of faith with international relations and domestic policy, Mavourene is actively engaged in intercession for family, government, education, and religion. She releases prophetic insight at Judgment Begins in the House. Photo Credit: rattanakun via Canva Pro.