Base Hit Gratitude

I was watching a major league baseball game on TV recently and saw something that was a bit out of the ordinary. When the batter hit the ball and was safe at first base, he made the sign of the cross. I’ve seen hundreds of batters over the years start their at-bat by signing themselves but never once when they got on base.

It really is a simple illustration of the various kinds of prayer. When you’re at bat, the sign of the cross is a prayer of petition. When you make it on base it’s a prayer of gratitude. Why not do both? Proverbs 3:6 says “in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

When Jesus encountered the ten lepers they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” They were all cleansed but only one of them turned back to give thanks. That’s a ten to one ratio of petitions versus thanksgiving. Certainly God wants us to make our requests known to Him. But He also deserves our sincere gratitude for answered prayer and blessing. Whether we are beginning an endeavor or reveling in a mission accomplished, we need to pray without ceasing and give thanks in all things.