Several months ago, one of our elders stood before the congregation to lead the opening prayer. He did something that surprised many people, and it made quite an impression. His prayer was a prayer of thanksgiving. There was not one request in his prayer.
I think that is the first time I have ever heard a prayer of simple thankfulness, with no request for anything. I have prayed such a prayer myself, but I think most public prayers have been filled with requests as well as thankfulness.
It made me think about how many things bless our lives everyday. I could start naming them, but I would never find an end. We are such a blessed people, even in our sufferings.
Nehemiah tells us that in the days of David, the directors of the singers sang songs of praise and thanksgiving to God (Nehemiah 12:46). When we are thankful, we are praising God. After all, He made everything. He spoke everything into existence. We should certainly be thankful for His creation.
Most of us are familiar with Psalm 100. It is a beautiful psalm that shows God’s steadfast and enduring love. “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (ESV).
Once again, we see the connection between thanksgiving and praise. Think how God is honored when we are thankful to him and praise him. This elder who led this prayer honored God, blessed Him, and worshiped Him with his thanksgiving.
Paul speaks in Second Corinthians about our earthly bodies, which he calls jars of clay. In these jars of clay, we may be afflicted; but we will not be driven to despair. We may be persecuted, but we will never be forsaken. We may be struck down, but we will never be destroyed. For these things we should be thankful; and in doing so, we honor God.
Paul also encourages us to walk in Christ Jesus, be rooted and built up, and to be firm in the faith as we were taught. He also says we should abound in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7).
Paul knew the Colossians would face hardships. He encouraged them to love one another, stand firm in Christ, and learn the treasures found in His Word. He didn’t want them led away by false teachers. He also wanted them to be a thankful people.
The holidays are upon us; and at this time of year, people seem to be a little more tolerant, a little more appreciative, and a little less critical. However, just as some have a difficult time saying, “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong” (as I wrote in my article last week), many have a hard time saying “Thank you.”
Don’t be afraid to be thankful. After all, it is the Lord’s will that we be a thankful people.
Sandra Oliver