God's Word on PrayerSample

THANKSGIVING

Philippians 4:6—The importance and spiritual benefits of thanksgiving in our prayer life cannot be overemphasized. The Bible tells us God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). But the question is, “How do you become humble?” The answer is by being thankful. A good rule of thumb for our prayer lives is to be full of worry for nothing (Phil. 4:6), full of prayer for anything (1 Thess. 5:18), and full of thanks for everything. Indeed, thanklessness, at least in part, caused the ancient world to plunge into the terrible depths of sexual depravity (Rom. 1:21). This is why there was a special group of priests in the Old Testament appointed to do nothing else but praise and thank the Lord (2 Chr. 31:2).

There are two main things we are to thank God for:

a. We are to thank Him for His work in Creation. David reminded us of this area of thanksgiving in Psalm 100. Later, John the apostle told us that we will thank God for His work in Creation throughout all eternity. Note the words of this song of praise: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev. 4:11).

b. We are to thank Him for His work in redemption. John also informed us our second song in heaven will feature thanksgiving for God’s work in redemption: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood’ ” (Rev. 5:9).

This Bible study is an excerpt fromThe OPEN Bible, Published by Thomas Nelson Bibles