“Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.” (Psalm 107:22)

We pray to praise, to give thanks, to communicate, to ask questions, to petition, to confess and repent to the Lord, and also to make intercession for the church, the nation, and other people.

Thanksgiving should always be accompanied by a prayer or a petition. Thanksgiving is a recognition that everything comes as a gift even though we are unworthy to receive it. It is also an expression of acknowledging God of his goodness and mercy.

Thanksgiving and supplication in our prayers are like the two wings which can carry us high into the sky. Some may have one strong wing of supplication but the wing of thanksgiving is weak. This is not sufficient when the cloud is dark and it seems that there is no way out. We need two strong wings so that we can fly high and break through the dark cloud to reach out to the heavenly Father. Thanksgiving for past blessings is good preparation for successful supplications. Supplication is to request.  Thanksgiving is to receive—receive what we asked.

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2) (NIV)

We have plenty of things to praise God: His love, forgiveness, salvation, kindness, mercy, compassion, justice, patience. We receive all of these even though we do not deserve to have any of them. No matter how difficult your life’s journey is, you can always receive God’s grace and count your blessings – past, present, and future.

We can not comprehend God’s love until we learn to give our thanksgiving to Him. The saddest thing in this world is to be deeply loved by Jesus Christ, yet not realizing His love and complaining much. Once we try to add thanksgiving into our prayer, the strength of Christ pours into our heart. Then we experience grace upon grace.  We receive the latter grace after we learn to give thanks. Through thanksgiving, we walk out from our difficulties and let Jesus Christ walk in. We only learn to give our thanks often after we suffer from loss. When we offer our thanksgiving prayer for past grace, then we will be filled with hope for the future.

Psalm 126:2-3:

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,  and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”  The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.

Think and reflect –what great things that the Lord has done for you?