6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6, 7
Somehow, all of us know to pray when we are in trouble. My dad used to say, “There are no atheists in fox holes.” In other words, when we are in trouble we believe in God. We have all prayed that emergency prayer, and had it answered. But, what if we prayed “with thanksgiving?” What if we brought our prayers to God with thanksgiving? What then?
Thanksgiving is faith alive, trust activated, and hope awakened. Thanksgiving is expectancy! Not expectancy that God will do our bidding as we demand or will answer our prayers as we expect. But expectancy in that He will answer and He will act.
Gratitude is our trust in His goodness, His faithfulness, and His ability. Prayer with thanksgiving, or anything with thanksgiving, makes for peace. Peace is rest, security, confidence and prosperity. Peace is the overcoming attitude God gives that assures us that He has heard and He shall act. Peace guards our hearts and our minds until the finished work appears!
Thanksgiving may be the missing ingredient to our prayers, supplications, intercessions, and worship. This Thanksgiving, let’s add thanksgiving to our day, in our conversations, and of course our meal.
Happy Thanksgivings!