Praying: Thanksgiving Every Bible Study

Another form of prayer we must teach as we pray and lead prayer in our Bible study groups is thanksgiving. As we noted last week, thanksgiving focuses on what God has done while praise focuses on God’s attributes and character. Thanksgiving becomes a regular rehearsal of God work in history, our communities, our churches, our families, and our lives. When we focus on thanksgiving we understand that all things come to us from God. Thanksgiving may surprise us as we remember more and more what God has done for us. Thanksgiving also humbles us because we soon realize that we are unworthy of God’s blessings but He pours blessings on us anyway.

Thanksgiving flows from God’s grace. Grace is the centerpiece of thanksgiving because we learn that all God’s work in our lives is unearned and comes to us from Him as a gift.

Thanksgiving is agreeing with God about His work in your life. As you thank God, you confirm that He has worked and is working in us. Instead of taking personal credit, we give God the credit as we thank Him.

Thanksgiving is worship of God for His specific actions. Thanksgiving is listing, with passion and joy, all that God has done for you and given you. Indeed, as we thank God, we soon have a list of amazing length, yet we realize that we have only scratched the surface of God’s grace-full work in our lives.

We must employ thanksgiving in everything.  If all things come from God, then thanksgiving becomes a constant presence in our lives and in our prayers. Even when the difficult times occur or problems press upon us, we can be sure that God will work even these into blessings in some way at some time. In this way, thanksgiving accentuates God’s grace in everything.

Thanksgiving allows us to enjoy God’s blessing. Thanksgiving recognizes God’s grace in everything. When we yield every display of grace in our lives, we become free to enjoy everything He brings to us.

As we pray in our small groups, take opportunity to teach and model thanksgiving in prayer. From time to time spend dedicated time in group and personal prayer simply thanking God. Highlight psalms and prayers all through Scripture that concentrate on thanksgiving. Encourage your learners to make their lives living prayers of thanksgiving.

Scripture:

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
       the One who is and who was,
       because you have taken your great power
       and have begun to reign.” Revelation 11:17 ESV

Prayer:
Spend one whole day considering all the specific things the Lord Almighty has done for you. Use your list to give Him thanks.

Dig Deeper:
Much of today’s material came from the study helps in “Life Helps” in The Disciple’s Study Bible. Study Bibles are helpful tools for the Bible study leader. Consider adding one to your personal library.