Prayer - Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Modern scholarship shows how far ahead Paul was in his thinking concerning thankfulness. Research shows gratitude is a strong way to reduce anxiety. Such effects are in addition to gratitude’s ability to strengthen relationships, improve mental health, and minimise stress. In fact, researchers suggest that gratitude’s effects may be long-lasting and especially positive. Multiple studies use gratitude interventions as free, simple, and effective ways to protect against anxiety.

Putting ourselves into a spirit of thanksgiving changes everything.  Having moved in prayer though a time of adoration, confession and repentance, there is a sense of being in the right frame of mind and heart to be truly thankful.

Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC)  a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher advocated that “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.”

Whilst William Arthur Ward, an early 20th century motivational writer stresses that, “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”

So no wonder Paul writing to the Philippians urges them to underpin prayers with true thanksgiving. How thankful to God are we?

Jesus, I want to be like You who obeyed the Father without complaint. You embraced the chains of humanity when You walked this earth. Convict me whenever I complain or compare myself with others. Give me Your attitude of humility and thankful acceptance. I want to be like the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. I choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that give praise to Your name. I long to bring a smile to Your face. Teach me the power of a thankful heart. I know that Your truth dwells in a thankful heart. Amen