In Eph 5:20 Paul talks about “giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God our Father.” We can thank God in all circumstances, rather than for all circumstances, in the belief that they can become the springboards of God's grace either sooner or later. I can remember an occasion that occurred many years ago. I was due to attend a conference for priests. I traveled to it by motorbike. As I went along the road I was singing hymns. At one point I prayed; "Lord if you have any message for the conference please speak to me." Then I felt inwardly that the Lord was saying, "tell your fellow priests about the pearl of great price." While I was glad to get that word, I didn't really know what it meant.

When I got to the conference there was a preparatory prayer session. During a quiet time the image of an oyster came to mind. It was on the mud of the sea floor surrounded by water. I understood that the sea floor was the world, the sea the Spirit, and the oyster, the human person. Then I felt that the Lord was saying. "Think of how a pearl is formed. Grit and dirt get from the sea-bed into the oyster. It cannot expel it. So it secretes a milky liquid which surrounds the grit over a period of seven years. The greater the irritation the greater the pearl that is finally formed. It is the same with the human heart. The sin of the world makes an entry. But in my compassion I weave the pearl of mercy around it. The greater the sin the greater the pearl that can be formed. Tell the priests not to be disheartened by their weaknesses. I will bring good from evil, blessing from failure.”

Over the years I have found that the following prayer exercise is very beneficial. I think either of the greatest sin and the greatest misfortune in my life, or in the life of the community. Then I express my negative feelings such as shame, humiliation, anger, guilt etc., but then I go on to express my faith conviction in prayers of thanksgiving. Like many others I have found that thanksgiving of this kind opens up my heart to the liberating power of God. I’m not surprised that author Antony de Mello S.J. said that if he were to choose the one form of prayer that made Christ’s presence most real in his life it would be the prayer of thanksgiving. He explained, “The prayer consists, quite simply in thanking God for everything. It is based on the belief that nothing happens in our life that is not foreseen and planned by God – just nothing, not even our sins.”

Why not try the following exercise:

· Think of something in the past or present that is causing you pain or distress or guilt or frustration...

· If you are in any way to blame for this thing express your regret and sorrow to the Lord...

· Now explicitly thank God for this, praise him for it...Tell him that you believe that even this fits into his plan for you and so he will draw great good from this for you and for others, even though you may not see the good...

· Leave this thing and all the other events of your life, past present and to come, in the hands of God....and rest in the peace and relief that this will bring.”

As two Greek Orthodox writers observe: “Lips forever giving thanks receive God’s blessing, and a heart filled with gratitude unexpectedly receives grace.”