May 29

The Prayer of Thanksgiving

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

After instructing us to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the apostle Paul spends verse 18 directing us to give thanks to God in everything, no matter what our circumstances may be, stating that this is the will of God for us.

Just as prayer is a lifestyle that brings us closer to God, thanksgiving is the same thing. Giving thanks to God isn’t just something we do once a day as we sit down somewhere and try to think of all the good things He has done for us and merely say, “Thanks, Lord.” It is not just something we do at mealtime. That can be empty religion, something we do simply because we think God requires it.

True thanksgiving flows continually out of a heart that is full of gratitude and praise to God for Who He is as much as for what He does. It is not something that is done to meet a requirement, win favor, gain a victory, or qualify for a blessing.

The type of thanksgiving that God the Father desires is heartfelt and it flows from us regularly because we are continually seeing and recognizing how good God is to us at all times. Let us be thankful and say so!

Be thankful always, continually acknowledging, confessing, and glorifying His name in prayerful praise and worship.