The Power of Gratitude and Thanksgiving

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

1 Thankfulness lessens our anxiety (“do not be anxious”).

2 Thankfulness reframes every situation we find ourselves in (“in every situation”).

3 Thankfulness puts us in a posture of prayer and submission to God (“by prayer and petition”).

4 Thankfulness authorizes us to ask God for what is good (“present your requests to God”).

5 Thankfulness imparts peace (“and the peace of God”).

6 Thankfulness orients us toward the transcendent (“which transcends all understanding”).

7 Thankfulness protects our hearts and minds (“will guard your hearts and minds”).

8 Thankfulness keeps us connected with Jesus Christ (“in Christ Jesus”).

11 thoughts on “The Power of Gratitude and Thanksgiving”

  1. Thanks for your encouragement this morning. Ned and I benefit from your teaching.
    I hope the prayer from 9/11 is on the website.

  2. Thank you, Mel Lawrence.
    I am thankful, and I hope I always remain so.
    It is a blessing to know He loves you. It brings great peace.
    I thank Him daily.

  3. I wish we could say THANKS GIVING DAY rather than Victory day!
    We celebrate Victory day on 16 December. After 9 months of terrible war we defeated Pakistan Army and on 16 December 1971 they surrendered. But we lost 3 million people including massive destruction of roads & highways, bridges, houses, school-college-university buildings. When we compared Bangladesh army to Pakistan army, it was just nothing. Because Pak army was fully prepared with modern weapons with vast experience after great training. On the other hand we were just bare hands mare fighter. Only God could survive us, and He did it. So He is praiseworthy.
    So, thank American people who set example of choosing significant name of Victory day. And thank you Mel, for your exegesis from the Word of God how the power and gratitude work with thanksgiving.

  4. Our pastor spoke on this scripture at our Thanksgiving Day service.
    Thank you for further insight. A great memory verse, and don’t forget the words “with thanks”!

  5. I love that verse, and I especially love that truth that HIS PEACE will “GUARD” our minds and hearts!! That is a wonderful truth and a GREAT REWARD in itself!!! Thank you for reminding me of this verse!!! We live in a day when danger is everywhere, both physical and spiritual!! And so we really need Him to GUARD our heart and mind!!! This is SO POWERFUL, I think I will make myself a poster with this verse and hang it in my home some where I can see it every day!!! Thank you Mel for sharing this GREAT verse!!!! And that you Lord for your WONDERFUL PROMISE’S!!!

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