How to Practice Gratitude in the Midst of Waiting by Wycliffe Bible Translatorsনমুনা

Devote Yourself to Prayer and Praise

When you’re waiting and wondering, it’s tempting and easy to give up on prayer. But the Bible has some simple, straightforward instructions about that — don’t!

“Never stop praying,” Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT).

In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus taught the Parable of the Persistent Widow, reminding us how we “ … should pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1, NLT). Spend time reading the whole parable, knowing the takeaway is this: If a human judge — who certainly doesn’t care about people like God does — will finally answer and serve justice to those who keep asking, how much more will the heavenly Father who lovingly made you listen to you and do what is right in response?

Don’t give up on prayer, especially when it feels like you want to. That’s exactly the time to lean in harder and devote yourself to prayer all the more. Colossians 4:2 (NLT) reminds us, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”

But maybe you’re tired of what feels like the “same old same old” when you pray — just repeatedly asking for what God hasn’t responded to yet. That’s understandable, but as you come to Him again, come also with your mind intent on these three important acts:

Count your blessings. Maybe you’ve heard the old hymn that goes, “Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.” Some newer worship songs echo the same theme. It’s timelessly true that we need to intentionally remember all the good things we have to be thankful for — the very basics of life (like shelter, food, clothing) and intangible things too (like love). When you find it hard to wait on God, practice gratitude by counting the many blessings He’s already given. Write them down in a gratitude journal, stick reminders on index cards, and place them somewhere you’ll see them daily. When we remember how much God has freely given us, our attitudes and actions turn from impatience to joy.

Remember. In Psalm 77:11-12 (NLT), the writer said, “... I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.”

If you follow this example, thinking about the mighty works God has done in the past, whatever you’re waiting on right now won’t consume you — and you’ll be filled with faith, gratitude, and peace instead.

At the end of each day, set aside a few minutes to think about just one way you saw God show up that day. Focusing on His presence will remind you of the big and small ways He’s at work in the world around you.

Worship. As you fix your mind on remembering God’s good deeds, worshipping Him will naturally follow. Start with reading Psalm 100, which the NIV calls a psalm “for giving grateful praise.” It’s a perfect length for easy memorization and automatic recall when waiting is hard and discouragement is looming.

You can also create a worship playlist on your favorite music-listening platform, so when you’re struggling to remember God’s goodness, you can play uplifting songs that will help you shift your focus!

As you count and remember blessings and worship the One who gives them, continue asking, seeking, and knocking while you wait (Matthew 7:7-12). Your heavenly Father keeps His promises, and you can trust Him to take care of everything.

Reflection:

• What ways could you spend time today counting up blessings?
• What passages from the Psalms are speaking to you that you can meditate on and pray back to God?
• What are some favorite worship songs you can play or sing to the Lord today? In whatever ways are most impactful to you, give honor and glory to God, the giver of all good things.