According to David, the worship experience is like having an audience with the greatest Monarch in the world. The protocol that leads us into the presence of that Monarch begins at the gates of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a gate that leads us into the presence of God (Psalm 100).
In practical terms this means that when we want to enter into the presence of God in our own private prayer closet, we should begin with thanksgiving. In other words, just start by thanking God for everything we can think of for which we are grateful.
In my own experience I have discovered that no matter how bad things get, the good stuff outweighs the bad stuff. When I, therefore, start thanking God for all the good things, I not only find myself in the presence of God. I confirm the reality that God is good and things are not as bad as I thought they were.
So no matter how bad things may be for you right now, discover the therapy of thanksgiving. Start thanking God for every good thing you can think of for which you are grateful until you discover, in the presence of God, that the good stuff outweighs the bad stuff and things are not as bad as you thought they were.
Dick, I just read your book and really enjoyed it. I’m glad to see you haven’t left us to be with the Lord yet!