Category: Thanksgiving

Gathering in Jesus Name

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Today I am thankful for those who gather in the name of Jesus.  My church family has commented on how much we missed gathering from March – May this year.  If you haven’t learned what gathering around the name of Jesus is, you have missed out. We aren’t perfect, but when we have our eyes fixed on God, the fellowship is wonderful.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my church family and others who gather in Your name.  Thank you for the joy when we are in tune with Christ.  Thank You for the unity we can have when we put You first. Please help us to focus on You and all You have done for us.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Rejoice and Repeat

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Today’s verses are compliments of my mom.  I love the book of Philippians.  There is so much practical advice for daily living.  Verse 4 tells us to rejoice – twice!  I also appreciate the reminder in verse 6 to bring requests with thanksgiving.  The beauty of this practice is the peace it brings.  Peace that can only come from God.

Peace can seem elusive when times are tough.  I think we sometimes don’t have peace when things are good, because we look for peace in the wrong places.  We think it will come from the right job, house, possessions, people. Godly friends can help us achieve peace, but only if they direct us to Christ.

Friends, I pray you know Jesus Christ as your savior according to what the Bible says.  If not, please contact me. I would be happy to share the truth of the gospel with you. God is worth it!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing peace when we come to You with our praise and requests.  Thank You for the protection for our hearts and minds.  Please help me to rejoice and have a gentle spirit every day.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Live Without Complaining

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Happy week of Thanksgiving!  I wanted to take extra time this week to be thankful.  I know this is something that I need to do more.  Gratitude is even proven to be effective in helping with health issues (there are many medical studies).

Today’s verse was chosen by a friend of mine when I asked for thankfulness verses.  I know how easy it can be to complain when days are tough.  I also know the struggle of putting negative things in their place.  I am not going to lie about challenges – pretending they are no big deal.  However, it is too easy to get stuck in negative thinking.  There is nothing worse than someone who is constantly negative.  Thankfulness can bring refreshing joy despite challenges. 

I will continue to spend my life working through how to be honest about negative things and grateful at the same time.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing instruction on how to handle difficulties.  Please forgive my complaining.  Please give me wisdom to deal honestly with trials, but not be trapped in grumbling.  Thank You for the many blessings You give.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Inexpressible Thanks

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I have had a few responses from others who shared their favorite verse about thankfulness.  Today I will share the verse my grandma sent to me. 

If you read all of chapter 9, you will find the concept of cheerful giving.  When we understand what God has done for us by sending Jesus Christ to die for our sins, cheerful giving is so much easier.   The Bible tells us that we are sinners – the book of Romans shares a lot about that.  We shouldn’t have too much trouble believing that when we look at the wrong all around us.  But I believe if we are honest with ourselves, we can see wrong within us.  That makes the joy of what God did greater.  Who can express the joy?  I am going to try throughout this month.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die for me.  Thank You that everyone has the opportunity to know You and trust in Your Son.  The gift of salvation is indescribable.  I praise Your name!

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Thankfulness Continued

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Today I want to declare my thankfulness for the Bible.  The Bible is God’s word; breathed out by God for our benefit (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  I know many consider the Bible a good book, but not necessarily from God.  Many have rejected the Bible completely as though it is nothing more than fiction.  The Bible means so much more to many of us, because we have studied and lived the truth found in its pages.

I find it interesting that many philosophies of love, kindness, respect and other values are found in the pages of the Bible.  None of us will perfectly live out these values.  However, with the help of reading and studying of the Bible, we can continue to grow and learn how to live the best priorities. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing and protecting Your word.  Thank You for allowing me the opportunity to read and study the Bible. Please help me to be faithful to the words You gave.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

If you have a favorite Bible verse of thankfulness, please comment below or send me an email (pleadinginprayer@gmail.com). I would be happy to include it in a future post.

Praise and Thanksgiving

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Many have used the month of November to focus on being thankful.  I have used the week of the Thanksgiving holiday for this, but I want to expand this year. 

Some days are easier to be thankful than others.  When I struggle to be thankful, I start with the fact that God saved me from my sins.  Romans chapter 3 tells me that I am a sinner.  In Romans 6:23, I find there is punishment for sin (death).  Romans 3 also tells me that I can be justified (saved) by faith in Jesus Christ.  If I continue reading Romans (10:9-10), I find that I need “to confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead”.  I acknowledge my sin to God and Jesus saves me. 

I am so thankful for salvation and what that means in my day to day life.  Not only did God save me, but He wants to sustain me.  I will share more of those items in future posts this month.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me and sustaining me.  You have given me so much for my life now and for eternal life.  I cannot praise You enough.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Peaceful Protection

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Have you ever been anxious – silly question, right?  We have all faced anxiety at some point or another.  If you are living, you have opportunity for anxiety and stress.  It is the reality no matter what.

I am so thankful that God provided a way to end my anxiety.  As I pray with both thanksgiving and request, God will send His peace that provides protection.  He never fails.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending peace when I come to You in praise and pleading.  I ask for help now as I face the day to day challenges that You allow in my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Strength to be Thankful

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I have spent this week talking about areas of life where I have a hard time being thankful. When I struggle, I often go to Scripture – the Bible – to find real events that happened in the lives of men and women. These people had hard times, but still shouted praise to God.  When others are able to do that, I find more strength to do the same.  I hope this helps you.

Give thanks to the Lord! Call on His name! Make known His accomplishments among the nations.

1 Chronicles 16:8 NET

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good
and His loyal love endures.

1 Chronicles 16:34 NET

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
and His courts with praise.
Give Him thanks.
Praise His name.

Psalm 100:4 NET

I will thank the Lord with all my heart!
I will tell about all Your amazing deeds.
I will be happy and rejoice in You.
I will sing praises to You, O Most High.

Psalm 9:1-2 NET

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loyal love endures. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His loyal love endures!

Psalm 136:1,26 NET

Praise the Lord, O my soul.
With all that is within me, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.
Do not forget all His kind deeds.
He is the One who forgives all your sins,
who heals all your diseases,
who delivers your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with His loyal love and compassion,

Psalm 103:1-4 NET

God is so good.

Bad Weather Anyone?

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Living in Minne”snow”ta, I expect bad weather.  Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, we had a lot of heavy, wet snow.  I confess that after getting over 50” of snow last February (plus more the rest of the winter), I did not look forward to snow this winter.  So, in order to remember thankfulness this week, I had to do a lot of praying. 

I enjoy having snow on the ground in the winter.  The ground looks prettier – and let’s face it, who doesn’t like a white Christmas?  It is the difficulty of clearing the snow from my driveway that I don’t like.  It can be hard to do. 

When I encounter tasks like snow removal, that cause me difficulties, I spend time in prayer.  I have to admit, clearing my driveway at the end of a hard day can be therapeutic.  I can burn calories and negative emotions in the same shovel swing.

We know in this life there will be things that attack our attitude of gratitude.  We know from the Bible and many life blessings, that God is good.

God is so good.

When You’re Sick of Being Sick

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Health issues can be so heavy they topple us.  Some health issues are a tough inconvenience, while others change the course of our lives.  Being sick challenges our desire to give thanks to God.

While health issues can make it hard to be thankful, God has shown me ways to find gratitude.  I can start with the fact the Jesus Christ died for my sins. His gift of salvation is easy to be thankful for.

2 Corinthians 12:9 gives us help in our weakness.  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.”

Health issues cause physical weakness.  When we lose what we are used to having, we are more likely to cry out to God for help. Then He shows us so much more to be thankful for.

God is so good.