“And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me” (John 11:41). 
This is a very strange and unusual order. Lazarus is still in the grave, and the thanksgiving precedes the miracle of resurrection. We usually think that the thanksgiving would have risen when the great deed had been wrought, and Lazarus was restored to life again. But Jesus gives thanks for what He is about to receive.
The gratitude breaks forth before the bounty has arrived, in the assurance that it is certainly on the way. The song of victory is sung before the battle has been fought. It is the sower who is singing the song of the harvest home. It is thanksgiving before the miracle!
Who thinks of announcing a victory-psalm when the crusaders are just starting out for the field? Where can we hear the grateful song for the answer which has not yet been received? And after all, there is nothing strange or forced, or unreasonable in the Master’s order.
Praise is really the most vital preparatory ministry to the working of the miracles. Miracles are wrought by spiritual power. Spiritual power is always proportioned to our faith.
We see that in 2 Chronicles 20. Nothing so pleases God in connection with our prayer as our praise, and nothing so blesses the man who prays as the praise which he offers.
I got a great blessing when I was in seminary. I had received bad and sad news from home, and deep shadows had covered my soul. I prayed, but the darkness did not vanish. I summoned myself to endure, but the darkness only deepened. Just then my professor, a missionary came to know about my crisis and asked me whether I had thanked God in that situation (1 Thess 5:18).
It was a strange and difficult advice but I thanked God in obedience to that Commandment, and in a moment every shadow was gone.
Try Thanksgiving!
(PR)