Thanksgiving: The Second Priority of Prayer

Neighborhood social media sites have become both entertaining and quite disturbing. No longer just a place for neighbors to share information, battling ideologies brings out the worst in the keyboard warriors. A recent post included an article reminding Americans of the cost of Memorial Day, encouraging them to spend at least part of their day reflecting on those willing to give their lives for our country’s freedom. One woman in my neighborhood took offense to this post, declaring that no one had the right to guilt her into feeling any particular way about Memorial Day. She doubled down when multiple people pointed out her entitled, ungrateful attitude. One hundred and thirty-four posts later, with her continuing to make her case in half of them, the original intent of the post had been upended by this woman’s hateful rebuttals toward those who disagreed with her. One of those who sparred with her over several comments received a threat that she had family who worked in the CIA, and he had messed with the wrong person. Ironically, this woman completely missed the fact that her freedom of speech had been paid for by the blood of those she refused to thank.

Paul wrote to Timothy thousands of years ago, warning that unthankful hearts, among other things, would be a sign of the last times.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Ingratitude is easy to spot in others, but I fear it is much easier to justify in ourselves. Don’t believe me? How often do you complain about the weather? How about the latest health problem you have faced, or even natural pains of aging? It is human to complain, but godly to find a way to give thanks in everything. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Thankfully, Paul reminds us how this might look in Philippians 1:12-18. Paul acknowledges that he is in prison, but he reminds those receiving his letter that “These things have fallen out to the furtherance of the gospel.” Then he recounts that his boldness to preach, which is the reason he is in prison, has encouraged others to preach the gospel. Though he recognizes that not all are preaching the gospel with pure intentions, he still rejoices in the fact that the gospel is going forth! Paul lived what he taught about having a thankful spirit!

Another encouraging passage on thankfulness is David’s recounting of God’s intervention through the trials of his life. Found in 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18, David thanks and praises God for the many times God “girded me with strength unto the battle.” (Psalm 18:39) As I considered David’s heart of thanksgiving, I was convicted at the way I view trials in the rearview mirror. Thoughts like, “that season was so hard,” or “my heart got a little bruised in that place” are not foreign to me as I come through trials. David’s lens, however, is “look how God brought me through Saul chasing me through the wilderness for years,” or “let me tell you how God strengthened my hands to fight when I battled the Philistines!” His example is my lesson on thankfulness in prayer.

Gratitude has long been encouraged by mental health experts to combat depression and anxiety, but God has been commanding His people to give thanks much longer than that. Thanksgiving reminds us of how God gives us every good thing in our lives. It protects us from entitled expectations that often turn to disappointment when things don’t turn out our way. Most importantly, it is a powerful deterrent to bitterness, envy, and hardness of heart. An unthankful Christian is a backslidden Christian, disobeying God’s clear directions. Here are a few times God reminds His people to be thankful: 1 Chronicles 16:8, 34; Psalm 100:4-5; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

This was a needed reminder for me, and I pray it is a blessing to whoever reads my post today. Have a blessed day, and please, take time away from the social media posts!