Read: Prayers of Thanksgiving (Dr. Roels)

Introduction

As Christians we have more reason than anyone else to give thanks to the Lord. Whether or not we have an abundance of material and physical blessings--and many of us do--all of us have a secure eternal future that is glorious beyond description and can never be taken away from us (1 Peter 1:3-5). We also have the assurance that God works out everything in our lives for our ultimate good, no matter how challenging or difficult our life circumstances may be (Romans 8:18 and 28).

In addition, we have the promise that God "who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all” will also "with him graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32). And nothing, Paul wrote, "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

It is against the background of those wonderful promises and certainties that Paul wrote to believers in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

This does not mean that life will always be easy and pleasant for us (see Romans 8:23), but even in the midst of life's most difficult situations, we can still rejoice in the Lord and give Him thanks. As Paul reminded us:

"This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

When we focus on what is eternal we are able to sing and make melody to the Lord, "giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

True thanksgiving, therefore, is not based upon our external circumstances but rather upon a right understanding of God and His relationship to us, His children.

Without that understanding, it would be almost impossible for us to maintain a positive attitude and a peaceful spirit in the midst of life's trials and disappointments. But because we know that God is not only sovereign but also loving and gracious, we have good reason to have a positive and thankful attitude whether we have many or few earthly possessions in this world.

As we give our thanks and gifts to the Lord, our generosity results in further thanksgiving on the part of others (2 Corinthians 9:11-12). As we live and give and pray with thankfulness, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

In the Bible thanksgiving and praise are often referred to in the same verse or in the same passage. People whose hearts were filled with thanksgiving to God also praised God because of who He is and because of what He had done. Sometimes the praise and thanksgiving were given by individuals but very often people gathered together publicly in the temple to sing and bring their heartfelt thanks and praise to "the One from who all blessings flow.”

Scripture References

King Hezekiah assigned priests and Levites "to minister in the gates of the camp of the LORD and to give thanks and praise.” 2 Chronicles 31:2

"They sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, 'For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.'” Ezra 3:11

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” Psalm 100:4

"Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” Psalm 106:47

GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS LOVE AND PROVISION

Many times people offered thanks to God for some wonderful blessings of love and grace without mentioning specific details of the blessings they had received. Such general expressions of thanks were an indication that the people giving the thanks were fully aware that everything they had and enjoyed was possible only because of the kindness and goodness of their Lord.

Scripture References

"Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” 1 Chronicles 16:8; Psalm 105:1; Isaiah 12:4

"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness . . . O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” Psalm 30:11-12

"O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 118:1-5

(The expression "for his steadfast love endures forever” is found in all twenty-six verses of Psalm 136. In this Psalm, most verses refer to some specific activity of God which demonstrates that steadfast love.)

GIVING THANKS FOR PHYSICAL AND MATERIAL BLESSINGS

There are not many stories in either the Old or New Testament in which individuals say "Thank You” to God for specific physical or material blessings (such as food, clothing, health, shelter, or protection), but there are many passages which refer in one way or another to the "giving of thanks” both in public worship and in the personal lives of individuals. See, for example, 2 Chronicles 7:3; 31:2; Ezra 3:11; Nehemiah 11:17; 12:24, 27, 31; Psalm 42:4; 69:30; 95:2. Though some people may have failed to recognize or acknowledge God as the ultimate source of their blessings, God's faithful people joyfully acknowledged that every blessing they received came from the hand of the Lord.

Old Testament References

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped . . . with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7

"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; . . . O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” Psalm 30:11-12

"Both riches and honor come from you . . . and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:12-13

"Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” Psalm 106:47

"They cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress . . . Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” Psalm 107:13-15

New Testament References

After Jesus healed ten lepers, "one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks.” Luke 17:15-16

When Paul was being brought as a prisoner to Rome in a ship, the people on the ship did not eat for many days because of some terrible storms. Paul told the people that God promised to bring them safely to shore. "And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.” Acts 27:35

"Everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4

"[God] delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians 1:10-11

GIVING THANKS FOR SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

We should always be thankful to the Lord for every blessing we receive from Him. However, we should be especially thankful for the spiritual blessings He gives us. God is faithful to all His covenant promises and continues to uphold us, guide us, love us, forgive us, and fulfill His promises of grace to us. No matter what our earthly circumstances may be, we have the assurance that we will someday be with the Lord forever in glory, far beyond the reach of sin, suffering, frustration or disappointment.

Old Testament References

"I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart. . . . He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.” Psalm 111:1, 9

"I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.” Psalm 118:21

"O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Save us, O God of our salvation . . . that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” 1 Chronicles 16:34-36

New Testament References

"We always thank God . . . when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.” Colossians 1:3

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 1:4

"And we also thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13

"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3

GIVING THANKS FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS

When Paul wrote his letters to the churches, he frequently thanked God for them and for what God had done in them and through them. Paul worked diligently and faithfully and even sacrificially, but he recognized that God Himself was the giver of the blessings that the people received and it was God who should receive the thanks for those blessings.

"I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” Romans 1:8

"But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.” Romans 6:17

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-5

"I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.” Philemon 4-5

GIVING THANKS IN HEAVEN

God's people will continue to thank and praise Him in heaven--as some are already doing now and as all believers will do throughout eternity.

"And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.'” Revelation 7:11-12

"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.” Revelation 11:17

GIVING THANKS IN MANY WAYS

We probably express our thanks to God most often in spoken words. However, we can also express our thanks through music, through thank offerings, through acts of service, through the giving of gifts, and in other creative ways. Though these may not be viewed as "prayers,” they are sincere and thoughtful expressions of thanksgiving to the One who is the ultimate source of every blessing we enjoy.

Giving thanks in music and song

Believers in Bible times frequently expressed their thanks through both vocal and instrumental music. Believers have continued to do that in virtually every culture and in every place where Christ is honored.

"At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres.” Nehemiah 12:27

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7

"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” Psalm 95:2

"[Address] one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20

Giving thanks through sacrifices and offerings

In Old Testament times people presented thank offerings to the Lord on special occasions. These offerings were usually brought to the Temple along with other sacrifices. (See Leviticus 7:11-15.) Most of the time these thank offerings were likely accompanied by prayers of thanksgiving.

"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving . . . .” Psalm 50:14

"I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.” Psalm 116:17

"And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!” Psalm 107:22

General expressions of thanksgiving

"[Give] thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:20

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

JESUS' PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

There were many times when Jesus gave thanks to His Father in heaven, thereby setting an example for His disciples and also for us today.

"[Jesus] took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.” Matthew 15:36

(See also Matthew 14:19; Mark 8:6-7; Luke 9:16; Luke 24:30; John 6:11, 23.)

At the Last Supper, "[Jesus] took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you.'” Matthew 26:27

(See also Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17-19; 1 Corinthians 11:24.)

At the grave of Lazarus, "Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me.'” John 11:41

GIVING THANKS FOR HURTS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS

It usually is easy for us to thank God for the wonderful ways He blesses us and provides for us. We know that everything we have is a gift of His love and a token of His grace.

However, if we remember the words of Paul in Ephesians 5:20 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we know that we should also give God thanks under all circumstances and at all times--whether those situations are pleasant or not. That is usually much more difficult for us to do. However, when we remember that God graciously uses ALL things for our spiritual benefit, we can also thank Him for using difficult and unpleasant times in our lives to make us better and stronger and holier people--even when we do not immediately understand why God permits some things to happen as they do.

Scripture References

"Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law.” Psalm 94:12

"It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” Psalm 119:71

"I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.” Psalm 119:75

"[God] disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:10-11

If trials and disappointments help us to stay on the narrow road that leads to eternal life, then we surely can thank God for those trials even in the midst of sorrow and tears. Because He is our gracious and loving Father, we can be confident that He will always do only that which He knows is truly best for us.

August Storm reflected those truths in a thanksgiving hymn that includes these lines:

"Thanks for roses by the way-side
Thanks for thorns their stems contain.
Thanks for joy and thanks for sadness,
Thanks for sorrow and for pain.

Thanks for storms that I have weathered
Thanks for all you have supplied.
Thanks for happiness and pleasure
Thanks for staying by my side.”

NEGLECTING TO GIVE THANKS

Some people tend to take their blessings for granted. They either neglect or refuse to recognize God in their lives and never or rarely give Him thanks for all the blessings He gives them. Instead of thanking God for protection or healing or mercy or success, they applaud themselves for their own ability or possibly thank their "lucky stars” for the good things that happen in their lives.

As a result, many of them become proud, arrogant, and ungrateful. And in their self-centeredness, they give no thanks to God, taking all honor and glory to themselves.

There are two special passages in the New Testament where we are reminded how many people fail to thank God for His gifts of mercy and grace.

At one point in Jesus' ministry (described in Luke 17:11-17), ten desperate lepers approached Him at a distance and "lifted up their voices saying, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.'”

Jesus graciously granted the lepers the healing they asked for--a healing which they knew they would never find in any other way. When the lepers realized that they were healed, they went on their way to the priest as required. However, one of the men, a despised Samaritan, turned back "praising God with a loud voice. And he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks.”

When Jesus looked at the one who gave thanks, he said to him: "'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?'” Luke 17:11-17

We never read in the Bible what happened to the men who had been healed. Did they ever realize how thoughtless they had been and later return to give thanks to Jesus? We simply do not know. But we do know that Jesus was apparently both surprised and offended at their ingratitude. We also know that Jesus was pleased with the one person who returned to give Him thanks and sent him off with His "second” special blessing of grace.

The nine healed lepers were not the only ones who receive God's gracious blessings but fail to acknowledge Him or give Him thanks. Sometime after Jesus' encounter with the ten lepers, Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome about others who had received God's blessings but neglected to thank Him for them. He wrote:

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:21

Regrettably, multitudes of people around the world continue to enjoy God's blessings of sunshine, rain, food, shelter, protection, safety, fun, good times, and so much more--without ever acknowledging or even recognizing God as the giver of those blessings. But as believers we want to honor God by acknowledging that every blessing we enjoy is a gift of His grace. And we especially want to thank Him for the innumerable spiritual blessings which are ours only by His sovereign grace and eternal love.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

As our Heavenly Father, God is our Provider, our Protector, our Shepherd, our Savior, and our Friend. He knows all our needs of body, mind, and spirit, and He alone can provide for all our needs. He can protect us from our enemies, keep us from harm, give healing to our bodies, provide peace for our minds and turn evil into good. And He can forgive all our sins and give us the assurance of eternal life.

Because of His wondrous works of grace and love, God desires and expects us to express our gratitude through sincere and faithful prayers of thanksgiving and also by living lives of humble trust and obedience.

We should all humbly and faithfully reflect on His grace and goodness, so that we will increasingly develop a life of genuine and sincere gratitude. And as our gratitude increases we will increasingly express that gratitude in sincere prayers of humble and heartfelt thanksgiving.