Understanding the Concept of Praying with Thanksgiving

Prayer is a spiritual discipline that we always engage in to communicate with our heavenly father. Praying with thanksgiving is one of the essential aspects of prayer that involves expressing gratitude to God for all the blessings and active grace that is upon us. In this article, we will discuss the concept of praying with thanksgiving, its importance, and how to incorporate it into your prayer life.

1. What is Prayer?

Prayer is a spiritual practice that involves talking to God, listening to His voice, and seeking guidance, comfort, and strength. Over and above that, Revelations 5:8 and Psalm 141:2 enlightens us that our prayers are like a sacrifice to God, with a sweet smelling fragrance. Prayer can be done in different forms, such as praying in the spirit, praying with thanks giving, etc. We should be thankful because, according to James 5:16, as children of the Most High God, our petitions are the most potent and effective prayers to God.

Praying in The Spirit

Praying in the Spirit is one of the most effective ways to pray. When we pray in the Spirit, we tap into a different kind of dimension, which is more powerful than we think. The scripture tells us in Romans 8:26-27 that when we are unsure of what to pray for, and how to pray, the spirit intercede for us in accordance to the will of God.

Praying With Thanksgiving

The bible also encourages us in Colossians 4:2 to pray earnestly being watchful in it with thanksgiving. However, while we are encouraged to pray with thanksgiving, it is not entirely obvious what it means to pray with thanksgiving as it is to pray in the Spirit.

2. What Does Praying With Thanksgiving Mean?

There is a revelation of what it means to pray with thanksgiving if we pay attention to the prayers that Jesus prayed to his father. Jesus used to speak with so much authority when he prayed. Most of his prayers were being offered up from a position of victory rather than from one of begging.

What Does The Bible Say About Praying With Thanksgiving?

The bible say in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This scripture defines the core of a prayer of thanksgiving. It gives us both the reason and the benefit of praying in thanksgiving.

This scripture is teaching us that we should be praying with thanksgiving as we make our request to God. Giving honor to God for all the work that has already been accomplished in Calvary through our Lord Jesus Christ. Then the peace of God will guard our hearts, as we wait patiently for the word of God to manifest in our lives. As the bible says in Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

What Is An Example Of A Thanksgiving Prayer?

Among many prayers that Jesus prayed, there is one in particular that sets a good example of what it means to pray fervently, attentively, and with thanksgiving, as the Bible teaches in Colossians 4:2. I like this prayer because even though Jesus was in sorrow, he thanked God right away. In John 11:41- 42, when Jesus approached the tomb where Lazarus had been laid to rest, he said “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. And I know that you always hear me….”

The majority of us would have been inclined to give up and allow things to continue as we frequently do in the most trying circumstances. In Matthew 6:8, Jesus told his disciples that “Our Father knows what we need even before we ask.” This prayer is an illustration of how we should pray no matterthe circumstances that we go through.

We Pray With Thanksgiving Even When Facing Difficult Situations In Life

When we read the whole passage in John 11, we learn that when Jesus approached the tomb, he wept because he was really fond of Lazarus. He was in deep sorrow, yet he never doubted his authority and the power of God in this situation. Being thankful in difficult situations can help us shift our focus from the negative aspects to the positive ones. But most importantly, praying with a thankful heart gives us peace that surpasses all understanding as the bible tells us in Philippians 4:6-7.

3. Why Pray With Thanksgiving?

Praying with thanksgiving gives us peace as mentioned in Philippians 4:6-7, but also it helps us to align ourselves with the move of God. The bible tells us in Jeremiah 1:12 that God is actively watching his word to come to pass. Praying with thanksgiving means we are actively watching together with God.

Accordingly, when we declare and thank God for his promises over our lives daily, it’s like nurturing a seed (the word of God) that has already been planted in our lives (by God). We then water the seed with a prayer of gratitude, removing weeds (negative thoughts and worries). Then we wait patiently, allowing the seed to grow over time and eventually it produces fruits. The word of God says in Isaiah 60:22 “…..At the right time, I the Lord, will make it happen.”

4. Gratitude As A Spiritual Practice

Gratitude is an essential spiritual practice that we can never put a limit to it, as it is essential for receiving the promises of God. It is an evidence of acknowledging the work of the cross.

This requires us to believe in the authority bestowed upon us as God’s children and to have a greater awareness of who we are in Christ. Instead of attempting to find the right words to persuade God to act on our circumstances, we need to pray knowing that it has already been done. Additionally, the bible assures us in Isaiah 55:11, that when God sends his word to us, it never returns void without accomplishing that which it was sent to do.

5. How To Pray With Thanksgiving?

In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus gave us a good framework of how we should pray with thanksgiving. The Lord’s Prayer has all the tips on how to incorporate thanksgiving into our prayer life:

• Start with Praise and Worship

Verse 9 reads, “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’” In this verse, Jesus teaches us to begin our prayer by praising God for who He is and worshiping Him for His greatness and majesty. This helps us to shift our focus from ourselves, and our circumstances to God, and prepares our hearts for gratitude. This is also where we express our gratitude to God for all the blessings received, both big and small. Being specific in mentioning the things we are grateful for, such as health, family, friends, job, and other provisions.

• Pray for God’s Kingdom

Verse 10 continues, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” Here, Jesus teaches us to pray for the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth just like in heaven. Praying for the lost souls, for the whole church, and for all God’s servants to serve according to the will of God. Even praying for all the leaders in their different capacity, including political leaders, to lead in accordance to God’s will.

• Pray for Yourself and Others

Verse 11 says, “‘Give us today our daily bread.’” In this verse, Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily provision, recognizing our dependence on God for our sustenance. This is where we include prayers for other peoples needs, our family, friends, community, leaders, and even our enemies. We pray for their material and spiritual needs. Praying for others helps to develop a compassionate and selfless heart and promotes unity and love.

• Humble Yourself and Repent

Verses 12 continues, “‘and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’” Here, Jesus instructs us to repent, and acknowledge our need for God’s mercy and grace. He also emphasizes the importance of forgiving others as this is a necessary condition for receiving forgiveness from God.

• Ask For Guidance and Help

Verses 13 concludes, “‘and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” In this verse, Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s protection, guidance, and help in areas where we need it. But also asking to be delivered from temptation and the influence of the devil.  This shows humility and acknowledges our dependence on God for strength and wisdom.

6. Benefits of Praying With Thanksgiving

Praying with thanksgiving is an essential aspect of prayer that helps us to acknowledge and appreciate God’s goodness and faithfulness. But also it has numerous benefits for us, including:

– Promotes Positive Attitude

Expressing gratitude helps to develop a positive attitude towards life which in turn eliminates stress and anxiety levels. The bible encourages us in Philippians 4:8 to think of things that are true (the word of God is the only truth), noble, lovely, admirable and worthy of praise. Meditating on this scripture can help us maintain a positive attitude even in the midst of troubles.

– Strengthens our Faith

Thanksgiving prayers increase our faith in God since it reminds us of the promises of God.  Strong faith promotes spiritual growth and maturity, and helps us to strengthen our relationship with God. As the scripture say in Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

– Gives us Peace

Prayers of thanksgiving bring us peace that surpasses all understanding. The scripture in Philippians 4:6-7 does not only encourage us to present our request with thanksgiving, but also describes the advantage that would result from doing so, and that is peace that will keep our hearts safe from worries.

7. Common Challenges in Praying with Thanksgiving

While praying with thanksgiving may seem like a straightforward practice, there are some common challenges that other people may encounter, such as:

• Lack of Gratitude

Some people may struggle to express gratitude, especially when they are facing difficult situations or going through a tough time in life. Remember that there is always something to be grateful for in your life, no matter how small it is. The story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16 is a powerful reminder that God works best when we praise him in difficult times.

• Taking Things For Granted

People may lack gratitude because they take things for granted and fail to appreciate the blessings in their lives. Keep in mind that God will take away anything we take for granted. This is what happened to Queen Vashti in the book of Esther. She took for granted the authority of her husband and she lost both her husband and her position as a Queen.

• Prayer Routine

Some people may find it challenging to incorporate thanksgiving into their prayer routine, especially if they are used to a particular way of praying. Start praying in the power of the Holy Spirit and you will be led to a prayer of gratitude. As the scripture say in Romans 8:26-27. You can also buy prayer books or prayer cards to help you memorize scriptures.

Conclusion:

Praying with thanksgiving is an essential aspect of prayer that helps us to express gratitude to God for all the blessings received. It promotes a positive attitude, increase our faith, and brings us peace that surpasses all understanding. While it may be challenging to incorporate thanksgiving into your prayer routine, developing a gratitude mind-set, practicing daily gratitude, and trying different prayer styles can help overcome these challenges.

When we thank God for his promises we are acknowledging the finished work of redemption by God in our lives through our Lord Jesus. Giving credit to God and continuously declaring our faith in him through his word. Jesus said nobody comes to the father except through him (John 14:6). And we know that Jesus is the “The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13). Everything in our lives happens at the time that God chooses. Our part is to constantly water the seed (the word of God) with a prayer of thanksgiving while maintaining a positive attitude in spite of all the challenges we are facing.