As a Christian, I believe in the majesty of God. I believe that He heals, redeems, forgives, guides, loves, and so many other things. In recognition of this majesty, I do what is typical of believers, what we read about in Scripture, what we see in other believers we know. I petition God. I request blessings on behalf of others and myself. Blessings that include health, finances, relationships, and discernment. The list is honestly infinite. There’s always someone in need, and truthfully, as people, there’s always something we want. Myself included.
Petitioning God comes naturally, and the same is true for most of us.
Consider that as children, we have no problem asking our parents for more food, more clothes, and more screen time. They spent more time teaching us how to ask than what to ask for. And with those lessons came the constant reminder, “Say ‘thank you!’”
Gratitude does not come naturally to sinners but is a hallmark of our faith.
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
By practicing gratitude, we build our trust in Jesus, we learn how to see the silver lining in the most difficult of circumstances, and we put into perspective what’s most important in life.
Ideally, as much as or more than I petition God, I want to give Him thanks. I want to be consistent in following up on the things I ask for and even recognizing the good things I didn’t. I want to show Him gratitude when life isn’t so bright because those times, too, build me up. I want to be the kind of Christian who prioritizes thanksgiving.
He’s done so much more for me than I could ever ask or think. Saying thanks is the least I could do.
After all, God is not some wish-granting genie, not for me and not for you. He doesn’t want to be relevant in our lives only when we want something. He’s a jealous God. That’s why, though imperfect, we should always strive to grow in our ability to give thanks.
In the spirit of becoming such believers, here are six prayers of thanksgiving. Say these prayers as they relate to your own life, and form your own prayers inspired by what you read here.
Being Alive Another Day
God,
I want to take the time to say thank you for another day of living. Though I look forward to time in Heaven with you, I’m also grateful for the time you’ve blessed me with here on Earth.
Thank you for another day of being able to wake up, get out of bed, brush my teeth, and start my day. Thank you for another day of being able to walk and talk, of being able to think and remember things while forgetting others. Thank you for allowing me to experience the bliss of a good meal and a good night’s sleep.
I’m grateful that today is another day where I can honor you through my relationships, through my work, through my worship.
No day is guaranteed, and therefore, I’m especially grateful for each one you’ve given me.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Family
Lord,
Family is such a blessing. They bring us the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. They have the power to uplift and discourage. They mold us and guide us through life, for better or for worse.
I want to thank you for them. Thank you for the good that has occurred in our relationships. Thank you for the bad that has taught lessons and the ugly we’ve learned to avoid.
Thank you for parents being a blessing for children and for children being a gift to parents. Thank you for the families that are tightly knit. Thank you for the big families and the small ones.
Thank you for those relatives who invest in seeing others grow up well. Thank you to family members who provide advice, a place to live, a listening ear, all those things we need when we request and even when we don’t.
Thank you, God, for the ability to create families after leaving or not having one of our own. Families truly are one way we can model Christ’s love here on Earth.
Amen.
Friends
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the people we call friends. The people we can turn to when family falls short. The people who come into our lives by choice rather than birth. Thank you for the ways friends challenge and console us.
Thank you for every late-night call and every hangout session. Thank you for their support after a breakup or divorce. Thank you for the ways that made us laugh and the warnings they give us about what decision to make next.
Thank you for the ways their deeds and intentions direct us back to you. They truly keep life interesting, entertaining, and unexpected.
Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Work
God,
Thank you for the work we perform day to day, week to week. Thank you for the efforts we are able to make with our minds and bodies. Thank you for the impact we can make on those around us. Those in our communities, in our states, countries, in the world.
Thank you for the work we perform out in the fields and inside buildings. Thank you for those who teach and those who build. Thank you for the scholars and the scientists. Thank you for the painters and the writers.
Thank you for the work performed within the church and how those efforts extend to the people on the outside. Thank you that through work we can showcase Christ to believers and those yet to believe.
In your Son’s name, I say, Amen.
Challenges
Lord,
Your word says to be thankful in every circumstance, which includes times of chaos. Though bad things have happened to me, I’m grateful that I’ve grown in my faith as a result. Grateful that difficulty has taught me wisdom. Grateful that I’ve learned to surrender to you.
God, you never promised me an easy life, but you did promise me your presence. Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for the comfort you provided through the church, through people, and through things.
Challenges come and go, but your love always remains the same. Thank you.
Amen.
God’s Majesty
Lord,
There is not a day that goes by when I am not touched by your majesty. I see you in the ways you provide for people. I see you in the way that you make your presence known. I see your love poured out through the church.
Day by day, I find myself grateful for your forgiveness, for the fact that we can come to you at any time and confess our transgressions. Thank you for meeting us where we are and calling on us to be better. Thank you for your mercy throughout that edifying process. You care enough to instruct us and love us enough to have sent your Son.
Thank you for your glorious works. Those demonstrated throughout Scripture, history, and the ways we see you at play today.
Truly, your goodness knows no bounds.
Thank you, Lord. Amen!
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AntonioGuillem
Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes to Salem Web Network’s Crosswalk platform and supports various clients through the freelancing website Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo.
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
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