INTRODUCTION

Our heartfelt giving of thanks should always coincide with our prayers to God. Today's passage from Philippians confirms this truth, as do a host of other passages (Daniel 6:10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
See All...; Ephesians 1:16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
See All...; Colossians 1:3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
See All...; Colossians 4:2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
See All...; 1 Thessalonians 1:2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
See All...; 1 Timothy 2:1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
See All...). However, an unthankful spirit always affects one's prayer life eventually developing into a vicious repetitive cycle. A lack of prayer instills a lack of thankfulness. Those who fail to be thankful, fail to cultivate a consistent prayer life. Fortunately, this lack of thankfulness exposes our true problem which is a heart lacking humility. As our heart fills with pride, we fail to realize the goodness of God and our need to continually seek His face with this spirit of thankfulness. The solution involves conditioning ourselves to have a prayer life consisting of a genuine time of thanksgiving. True thankfulness should eliminate many of the prayers consisting of nothing but self-serving desires.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The Bible tells us to keep on praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing.
  See All...) and to be thankful (Colossians 3:15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
  See All...). How would mom and dad feel if you didn't talk to them or thank them for what they do for you? How do you think God feels when we do not talk to Him and say, “Thank you, Father”?
• (For everyone): How is your prayer life? How faithful are you in giving thanks to God? Do you give thanks to God during your time of prayer, or do you just make your requests known to Him?
• Is giving thanks important to you? Is your prayer time selfish in that it only acts as a means by which you seek to get things from God? Why not begin your time of prayer thanking the Lord for His goodness to you?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Take time to thank the Lord for His faithfulness to you.
• Ask the Lord to help you be more thankful during times of prayer.

HYMN

I Love to Steal Awhile Away

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