Our culture has changed dramatically. That change is reflected in our language and in how we deal in relationships. Some very important phrases have all but disappeared and one of those phrases is "Thank You". It's really sad, that it has disappeared between people, but what is most disheartening is that it has disappeared between man and God!
No one enjoys being taken advantage of, but people do it all the time to God. They enjoy His goodness and His blessings and never take time to thank Him.
We are in the month of Thanksgiving and there is a great amount of people that use this month to begin to offer their thanks. That is truly a tragic thought. The Psalmist declared that it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.
Giving thanks unto the Lord is good for each of us as it will take care of discouragement. 1 Thess. 5:18, "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." It is easy to look at our own particular trials or disappointments and become discouraged. But if we can grasp the truth of that verse we can rejoice - God is in control and He knows what is best for His children.
Giving thanks will increase our joy, increase our faith and give us hope. God is so good to us - sometimes we need to stop and consider all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. The greatest of all is Jesus Christ! If that doesn't make you happy - there is something wrong. Since God has already done so much for us; our hearts are encouraged about the future.
Paul wrote, "Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." (Colossians 1:12). Talk about a bright future! Thank God - one day we will be with Him in eternity.
Most importantly, tt will encourage others. Others are constantly watching our lives. As we give thanks - perhaps we may encourage someone else to offer thanksgiving. It will bring an awareness to them who have been taking God for granted. Psalms. 92:1 says, "It is a good thing … to sing praises unto thy name, O most High." When you go around singing praises unto God and others will want to know why - they will be uplifted also. It will bring joy unto God as He cares for us and He is gracious to meets our every needs and He deserves our thanksgiving
We are entering into the season of Thanksgiving. However, giving thanks should not be regulated to just once a year. The Psalmist exhorts us to give thanks morning and evening. There is no limit upon God's goodness why should we cease to give thanks?
Have you failed to thank Him for all His loving kindness? There's no better time than right now.
Intercession Prayer
Thank you God for giving me another day, another chance to become a better individual, another chance to give and experience love. Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus, my Lord, my Savior. I come to You with a heart of thanksgiving. I thank you for all the good things in my life, for You are the Creator of all things good. Father, I thank You for Your Presence. For in Your Presence is the fullness of my joy and in Your Presence I am complete and whole. In Your Presence I have purpose. Because of Your Presence, I am glad to be here. Father, I thank You for Your plan, that I might have a full life and enjoy it and have it in abundance to overflowing.
Father, I thank You for Your provision, that all my needs are met according to Your riches in glory and that I may prosper in all areas of my life as my soul prospers. Father, I thank You for Your protection, that Your perfect love casteth out all fear and that no weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Lord, mostly I am thankful for the relationship that I have with You. Lord, You initiated this relationship, by what Your Son endeavored to accomplish, paying the price for my sin, redeeming and reconciling me.Dear Heavenly Father, You know the times I have been ungrateful, held ill thoughts toward You and my fellow humans. You know the times I complain and grumble about life and its circumstances, about suffering, going through what seem endless trials and tribulations. Yet God You are and always will be there with me, even when it seems like I am forever in the wilderness, running further and further from You, You, my God are there guiding me back to Your loving arms. I am thankful Lord for everything that You allow to cross my path. Thankful for the decisions that You allow me to make and the lessons that come from these decisions.
I’m thankful, Lord, that I do not have to live under condemnation anymore, that You have truly set me free, that I am a new creation that I need not live under the law anymore. Thankful Lord that You have given me joy unspeakable. Thankful Lord that You are longsuffering, allowing me to mature in You! Lord, words do not express my thankfulness. For Your mighty power is at work in me, transforming me, renewing my mind.
Father, I thank You for Your peace. The peace that passes all understanding. The peace that keeps me calm and secure through adversity. The peace that leads me through all the storms that come into my life. Father, thank You for my life and Your Presence in it. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.