“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Have you ever noticed how often thanksgiving and prayer are mentioned together in the Bible? In the same breath that Paul encourages us to “pray continually,” and also says we should “give thanks in all circumstances”.  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17) Author Paul E. Miller, in his book A Praying Life (pg. 89-90), collected over a dozen verses where the apostle Paul explicitly connects thanksgiving and prayer. Here is a sample:

”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6

”We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”  1 Thessalonians 1:2

“I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayer.” 2 Timothy 1:3

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.”  Philemon 1:4

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

Prayer itself sometimes will be a struggle, as Paul admits when he explains how Epaphras has been struggling in prayer for their friends in Colossi. (Colossians 4:12) However, by always praying with thanksgiving, we can remain encouraged by remembering what God has done and what He promises He will continue to do. By matching prayer of thanksgiving with prayer of intercession, we will not be weighed down by the prayer needs of others (or ourselves) but instead will balance these needs with the assurance of how God has already provided and will continue to provide for us. In this way, we can, as Paul also encourages,

“be joyful always.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

Even when we are praying for help in the midst of deep distress and struggle, give thanks to the God who has sustained and will sustain us always!

What are you thankful for today? What would you like to ask God for, in a spirit of thanksgiving?

By Darren Hewer
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Be Joyful! 

The Secret to a Joyful Life – by McKenna Vietti

Be Joyful Always –  by Phil Ware

The post Thanksgiving and Prayer appeared first on Thoughts About God.

When we pray, expressing our concerns to God, we should take time to express our thankfulness.

•    We tell God our problems, making our requests known to Him with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).

•    We are devoted to prayer, staying alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2)..

•    We rejoice, praying without ceasing, giving thanks to God (1 Thessalonians. 5:16-18).

A thankful life is a prayerful life. A life void of prayer is an unthankful life.

Thanksgiving in Heaven

We don’t know a lot about heaven, often making us wonder what it will be like. One thing occurring in heaven is thanksgiving.

•    The angels in heaven give thanks to God (Revelation 11:17).

•    When we get to heaven, we will give thanks to God for salvation, as those who were washed in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:1-15).

If we’re not thankful in our prayers upon the earth, it’s doubtful we’ll live in heaven, where we’ll be busy offering thanks to God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Every Day is Thanksgiving, for Christians

As we experience God’s goodness in our lives, and offer thanks to Him, we could say that every day is a day of thanksgiving. We don’t feast upon turkey every day, in observance of a secular holiday, but we offer our thanks to God in prayer, reflecting our thankfulness in everything we say and do.

•    The result of our thankful lives, doing the good works God has ordained, is that it produces thanksgiving to God.

•    The effect of things we do upon the earth is far reaching, even reaching the throne of God.

Whatever you do in the bustle of day-to-day life, remember to give thanks. And live in such a way that others, who watch you and experience God’s goodness from your hands, can’t help but pause and offer up a prayer to express their thanks.  In these ways, God will be glorified, and receive the thanks He deserves.

Author Unknown

Further Reading

• Thanksgiving Day Sample Prayers

• When You Can’t Pray – Give Thanks

• I Choose to Give Thanks

The post Thanksgiving in Prayer appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men” Psalm 107:31

Thought

I’m not sure I can fully comprehend “unfailing love.” To always do the loving thing, whether it’s discipline or reward, fun or pain, I’m not sure I can fully understand it. But I can tell you this: I am eternally grateful for it! It’s not hard to give thanks for a God like ours!

Prayer

Thank you Almighty God for revealing yourself as Abba Father! Thank you for loving me so much that you give me what I need, not what I want or deserve! Thank you for the very many kindnesses and loving deeds you have done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

By Phil Ware
Used with permission.
You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

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