Thankful For Life

One of my favorite things in Ghana is listening to the prayers of the humble saints. Almost every prayer includes thankfulness for life. This is not a pat phrase nor a vain repetition, it is authentic and real gratitude. In the invocation at a recent devotional, for example, I loved hearing, 

“We thank thee for sparing our lives over the weekend.” 

Such a simple, heartfelt awareness that life is fragile and precious, and our very existence is a reason to rejoice. 

Elder Davis who serves as an Area Medical Advisor mentioned to me: 

“I find it really moving that most, if not all, testimonies…start out with a phrase such as, “I am thankful for life” or, “I am thankful that my 16-year-old daughter is alive.” Those are not phrases we commonly hear during fast and testimony meetings in the US, but I hear those feelings expressed during testimonies here all the time.” - Elder Davis 

Perhaps this is somewhat linked to the fear of death. Elder Jeffcoat Dick has noted: 

“…given the fact that there is rarely any diagnosis of cause of death, …with every minor aliment, people are afraid of dying. We have frequently heard young people say, “I don’t want to die.” when all they have is a stomachache. This is completely understandable when close family members have died suddenly with no cause given.” 

An African proverb explains this phenomenon: “Once bitten by a snake he fears a rope.” 

Elder Jeffcoat Dick continues:

“For encouragement, I find it useful to talk in positives. Instead of, “You’re not going to die,” I say, “You’re going to live, and you’re going to live abundantly.” 

May we pour out our hearts more frequently in gratitude for life and for our Savior, who proclaimed: “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10