Last week, I introduced the 12 Days of Thanksgiving two-part series. The goal of this series is to cultivate a spirit of gratitude in your heart leading up to Thanksgiving—and beyond. True thanksgiving is not just a holiday practice, but a lifestyle of honoring God with a grateful heart.
As I shared last week, the primary way to express our gratitude to God is through prayer. I covered six points then, and today I’ll share the final six, starting with:
- Petition
Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Notice the connection in this verse: bring your petitions to God with thanksgiving. It’s okay to bring your concerns to Him, especially during the busyness of the holiday season. But remember to pause and thank God for His provision, His care, and His goodness, even in the midst of your requests.
- Thanksgiving
1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Gratitude is not just for the easy moments; it’s for all circumstances.
You don’t have to thank God for the trials themselves. Although, there is something to rejoice about when facing trials, but thank Him in the midst of them, trusting that He will help you through them.
- Singing
You might think I’m crazy here, but I’m not just talking about singing when your favorite song comes on. Listen to the words of David in Psalm 95:1:
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
This isn’t just about singing for fun. It’s about using song as a way to honor God, lift your spirit, and express heartfelt gratitude. It doesn’t matter how well you sing—it’s about the attitude of your heart.
- Meditation
Psalm 119:15 says, “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.”
Sometimes, we just need to pause and meditate on God’s goodness and His promises. Reflect on what He’s done in your life, and let His faithfulness stir up thankfulness in your heart. When you meditate on His Word, you’re reminded that He will never leave you nor forsake you.
- Listing
If you’ve been following along with this series, today’s point should land on Thanksgiving Day itself. With the busyness of the day, I challenge you to take a quiet moment to reflect and make a list of things you’re thankful for.
John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
The fact that you can hear God’s voice is something to be thankful for. Take time today to listen to Him, thank Him for His presence, and reflect on how He’s been faithful in your life.
- Praise and Thanksgiving
Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.”
Today, take a moment to praise God for His goodness—His faithfulness, His generosity, His mercy. Praise Him for who He is and thank Him for His unchanging nature.
I pray this series has encouraged you, reminded you of God’s greatness, and helped you cultivate a deeper heart of thanksgiving. May you have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!
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