How are you at giving thanks to God? It might seem like an easy question. When we gather around the dinner table to eat a meal on Thanksgiving, we say a prayer before we eat. We usually thank God for our family and our health as well as the buffet of food that we are about to consume. The prayer is somewhat generic and typical of the holiday event. Nothing much changes over the years, except another year passes us by.
Giving thanks to God is essential to show that we recognize his divine power in our life. Our father loves to hear that we appreciate everything that he does for us. When we give thanks are we genuinely thankful, or do we go through the motions? Just look back on your life over the past year. Think of how many things that God has helped you with. Dwelling on the bad things in life is easy. If you genuinely want to give thanks, be specific.
Giving thanks to God shows obedience.
We shouldn't just give thanks to God during the holiday season. We should be giving thanks every day of our lives. As a child, I used to pray for things. I remember asking God to help with this situation or that. I can also recollect asking God for things. As I grew in my spiritual journey, I recognized the most effective prayer is to thank God for what he has already done in my life. A prayer of contentment will go a long way in your spiritual journey. Instead of worrying about the next thing or saving you from the immediate emergency, focus on what God has already done for you.
Giving thanks to God will turn your prayers into praises. God loves to have us praise him. We should praise him in the midst of our darkest times just as much as we do when everything is going well. This Thanksgiving as you gather around the dinner table, remember to praise God for everything that he has done in your life.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.