Are you thankful no matter what? Perhaps you have lost your job recently, as the economy has continued to struggle due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Or you may have lost your health, or a loved one. Such circumstances can be tremendously difficult. But even so, we all have much to be thankful for.
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6)
We often neglect to tell those who matter most how much God blesses us through their lives. Our family relationships are richer when we express our gratitude to God for them and tell them so. Gratitude starts with humility, acknowledging that we enjoy blessings because of God’s mercies. A friend’s personally designed Christmas card read, “Thou hast given us so much. Give us one thing more…a grateful heart.”
Reflect on every person for whom you are grateful and for what you are grateful. Take out pen and paper, and share the overflow of your heart with your family. Your thanksgiving blessing will become a treasured legacy.
Pray with me, “Lord, make my heart a habitation where gratitude sings.”
These thoughts will get you started. Your own journal of gratitude will be longer and much more specific.
Father, from whom every family on earth is named, we give thanks...
for time together as a family
for our continuing love relationship with You through Jesus
for our love relationship with each other
for life, health, bright minds, and physical safety
for food, clothing, a comfortable house, a clean bed
for enjoying being together with laughter
for the uniqueness of each one
for the rock of strength that prayer is for us
for faithful friends who encourage us by praying for our family
for seeing God’s hand of grace at work in our lives as we experience more of Him
for God’s plan for our lives and His enabling to keep us in His will each day
for weaknesses through which God shows Himself strong in us
for wisdom and guidance in daily circumstances
for strength for daily demands of job and family
for hope, peace, victory, satisfaction, and fulfillment
for financial blessings
for spiritual strength in spiritual battles
for Your patience in the testing, struggles, and refining that we grow through
for Jesus’ sufficiency for today’s grace
for forgiveness received and forgiveness extended
for hearts of obedience
for more than we could ever deserve!
Thanks, for who you are and all you mean to me.
With love…
From: Sylvia Gunter
These thoughts will get you started. Your own journal of gratitude will be longer and much more specific.
PRAYER
Father, from whom every family on earth is named, we give thanks...
for time together as a family
for our continuing love relationship with You through Jesus
for our love relationship with each other
for life, health, bright minds, and physical safety
for food, clothing, a comfortable house, a clean bed
for enjoying being together with laughter
for the uniqueness of each one
for the rock of strength that prayer is for us
for faithful friends who encourage us by praying for our family
for seeing God’s hand of grace at work in our lives as we experience more of Him
for God’s plan for our lives and His enabling to keep us in His will each day
for weaknesses through which God shows Himself strong in us
for wisdom and guidance in daily circumstances
for strength for daily demands of job and family
for hope, peace, victory, satisfaction, and fulfillment
for financial blessings
for spiritual strength in spiritual battles
for Your patience in the testing, struggles, and refining that we grow through
for Jesus’ sufficiency for today’s grace
for forgiveness received and forgiveness extended
for hearts of obedience
for more than we could ever deserve!
Thanks, for who you are and all you mean to me.
With love…
From: Sylvia Gunter
In many countries a special day is set aside each year for thanksgiving. But for the Christian every day can be a day of thanksgiving, as we are “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20, NIV).
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