How A Simple Thank You Brings You Closer To God

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Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash

Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash

Last time we learned that prayer is talking to God - our Heavenly Father. It’s a way we can abide in the Vine. We also talked about how to pray prayers that get heard and answered.

We found out that when you pray the word, you’re praying God’s will. And, when we pray God’s will He hears us. And, when we know He hears us, we know we have the petitions we’ve asked for (see 1 John 5:14-15). Check out that post here.

As, you spend time with Him in prayer, like you’re sitting with a friend over that cup of coffee and piece of pie, you’re abiding in the Vine.

And, remember, when you abide in the vine, you will produce fruit in your life as a by-product. If you missed the post on abiding in the Vine, you can check it out here.
  
So, let’s talk about another way we can pray–Abide in the Vine.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Psalm 100:4 NKJV

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

“Thanksgiving comes from yadah; properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. Adoration.” It’s worshiping your Creator, your Heavenly Father.

Thanking God for who He is and what He’s done for you is actually prayer.

Remember prayer is talking to God. This communication can come in all kinds of forms.

You could journal this to Him, speak it out loud to Him or even sing to Him. Any way you express it, thankfulness is a key component to developing a great relationship with God.

God loves our thankfulness, but it also does some wonderful things for us too!

 

Thanksgiving Shows God He’s Your Source

Thanking God acknowledges that you see Him as your source.

Ever been around someone that seldom said thank you? I personally have a hard time spending a lot of time around those kinds of people. God’s a bigger person than I am, but I guarantee He loves to hear you say thank you for all the wonderful things He’s done for you!

When you’re thankful, you’re saying to Him that you believe what He said in His Word is not just true, but it’s true for you. You believe the promise He gave you and are trusting it will come to pass in your life.

Colossians 2:6-8 (NKJV)
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

 

Photo by Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash

Photo by Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash

Thanksgiving Changes Your Perspective

Being thankful also changes our perspective.

What you focus on is what becomes biggest in your life.

Have you ever looked into binoculars or a magnifying glass before? The object looks 10x larger right? But, is it really that large? Or, do you just see it that large because the binoculars are focusing on it?

If you’re focus on what you’re lacking, what’s going wrong or all the drama. You’ll get more lack, more issues and more drama. Or, best-case-senario, that’s all you’ll notice in your life.

But, when you focus on the good in your life, what God has done for you and thank Him for what He’s continuing to do for you, you’ll get more of it.

You’ll also notice more good in your life too, making you even more thankful.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

There are so many “great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4) He’s provided for us. Let’s start thanking Him for them and for their fulfillment in our lives. 

And, don’t forgot, as you thank you’re Heavenly Father for who He is and what He’s done, you’re abiding in the vine, worshiping Him and growing closer to Him while you do it.

Discussion


What are three things you’re thankful to God for today?

  1. I’m thankful for my happy, healthy miracle children.

  2. I’m thankful for my supportive, encouraging husband.

  3. I’m thankful for the opportunity to share with each of you on a regular basis.

 

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