Always Giving Thanks
As Christians, we should give thanks to the Lord each and every day, not just once a year.
Image generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) using the DALL·E model.
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States, and the Lord put it in my heart to deviate from the usual practice of having Him pick a random Bible verse to study and instead write about giving thanks.
Many countries around the world celebrate some sort of day of Thanksgiving, and the idea is the same although the celebration and the day it is observed may vary. It began as a day to give thanks for the blessings of the harvest and the preceding year, so some countries and cultures observe it as a harvest festival. Historically, the holiday has roots in religious and cultural traditions. Sadly, in the US Thanksgiving seems to have devolved into a secular festival of food and football.
As Christians, we should give thanks to the Lord each and every day, not just once a year. The Bible is full of reminders to thank God for his providence and protection, and for the gift of salvation:
“always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
“and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
“Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.”
“Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”
1 Chronicles 29:13 NIV
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
“From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.”
The list goes on… Take the time today — and each day — to thank God for the many blessings He gives us. The Faith Space provides a thoughtful list of things to pray on in giving thanks to God:
If you struggle with gratitude or have never really thought deeply about gratitude, here are categories of good things to look for.
Categories of gratitude include;
Things
Events
People
Acts of gratitude
Things refer to: materials possessions (food, clothing, housing, music, technology), abstract ideas (love, joy, hope faith, kindness, forgiveness, growth), nature (sunset, ocean, rivers, sunshine, snow, flowers)
Events can be milestones, achievements, new adventures, experiences or opportunities, projects, programs, personal goals or just a significant moment.
The list could go on but you get the idea. Think about the birth of a baby, wedding, graduation, an award, new job, project completion, a party etc.
People refer to family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, professional associations like coworkers and bosses, neighbors. Often this category comes with acts of kindness we either receive from them or give to them.
No matter the situation that you are in, how bleak things may seem, or how “un-blessed” you may feel, there is always something to be thankful for.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Today’s prayer comes from Crosswalk.com, written by Debbie McDaniel
Dear God, Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you’ve allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day.
We ask that you would provide for our needs. We ask for your grace and favor. We pray for your blessings to cover us. We pray that you would help us to prosper and make every plan that you have birthed in our heart to succeed. We pray that others would take notice of your goodness and could not help but to say, “These are the ones that the Lord has blessed.” AMEN.
Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica US, Inc.®. Used by permission.
Couldn't agree more. Daily gratitude, like Pilates, strengthens perspective.