Prayers of thanksgiving

It was the oft-quoted English evangelist, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who once said “Our prayers should be perfumed with praise.” Spurgeon was right from both a biblical and practical perspective. Colossians 3:15 reads, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Notice those last few words: “be thankful.” It is fitting and beneficial, both spiritually and practically, for each of us to stop from time to time and render thanks for the numerous blessings we enjoy at the hand of our Creator.

Scripturally, the Christian certainly has much to be thankful for, but so also does the non-Christian. For example, God sends His rain both on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). The merciful Father causes the sun to shine on those who honor Him and those who deny Him. The Lord extends His longsuffering and mercy on redeemed sinners and on rebellious sinners. Truly God is good to all!

In fact, if you are reading this article but have never repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, I would ask you to consider that whether you acknowledge it or not, God has been good to you. The Almighty has given you life, health and the ability to read and comprehend; this alone merits your gratitude. Do you have family, friends and a warm, dry place to sleep at night? A job, a career? These are gifts from your Sovereign Lord, and warrant your heartfelt appreciation.

Further yet, we are all guilty of breaking God’s law, and it is only by His tender mercies that we are not met with summary judgment. Dear reader, please consider that the Lord, acting in holy justice, could have swept you away years ago for your refusal to bow the knee to the risen Messiah. Instead God has graciously given you another day to live on His earth, breathe His air and consume His food. Reflect on this and believe the Lord is worthy of your trust and admiration.

Now, from a practical point of view, I would like to encourage you this holiday season, to follow Spurgeon’s sound counsel and perfume your prayers with praise. Far too often, our prayer life resembles a grocery list of sundry items we want God to provide us. What if we instead, made a concerted effort (both as individuals and families) to spend some time in prayer simply giving God thanks for His bountiful blessings!

Here are some suggestions…

Give thanks for our nation. Albeit, far from perfect, Americans still live in the greatest nation on earth. Give thanks for the freedom to worship God, to assemble as saints, to have public prayer and not face persecution. Let us offer thanks for those brave men and women who have served our nation and for their families who have sacrificed in their absence.

Give thanks for government and its leaders. Offer thanks for governors, state legislators, city council and mayors (1 Timothy 2:1,2). Again, far from perfect, but people who certainly need our prayers and support.

Give thanks for our law enforcement officers and firefighters. Let us show gratitude for those folks who courageously run into situations while others are fleeing.

Give thanks for our nurses and hospital employees who minister to us when we are at our worst. Render thanks for doctors, dentists and nursing home staff who serve us, and our loved ones in need.

Give thanks for teachers, educators and home school parents who all work many hours “off the clock” to help invest in our youth.

Offer thanksgiving for truck drivers and warehouse workers, who deliver the gifts we crave.

Be grateful for your job. Even if it isn’t ideal, there are many folks who are either unemployed or are unable to work.

Give thanks for your family. Be thankful for the time you have with them. To share in their lives and to lean on one another when we’re hurting. Give thanks for warm homes and tables full of food.

Above all … Give thanks to God.

Be thankful for His tender mercies that are new every morning. Be thankful that He chose to reveal Himself to us in the Bible and in His Son. Give thanks for salvation full and free purchased by Christ alone. Be thankful for the Holy Spirit that comes and takes the Gospel message and makes it real to us, granting to every believer everlasting life. Give thanks to the Triune God for the plan of salvation!

Be grateful for a place called heaven … an eternal home of joy and peace for all who place their faith in Christ. Oh how thankful we ought to be that God has prepared a place free from sorrow, sin and sickness!

We have much to be thankful for. May God give to us an attitude of gratitude, not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day He affords us!

1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

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