I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.Psalm 69:30 NKJV
Psalm 69 is an urgent plea in times of trouble. The first verse in the chapter begins with “Save me, O God!” There is no doubt that David was in distress (NKJV).
David’s prayer includes an exposition of his enemies, a request for deliverance, and judgment upon those who sought his life. He also includes in this appeal a declaration of praise and thanksgiving. Even as David poured out his sorrow and need before the Lord, he wisely acknowledged our Father and gave thanks.
Referred to as a man after God’s heart, David was hardly perfect. Still, he continually came before the Lord, acknowledging his flaws yet petitioning God to meet his needs. Somehow, David realized that the power of his petitions lay not in his need but in the thanksgiving that accompanied each request. David’s numerous prayers are interspersed with praise and thanksgiving throughout the Psalms.
Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions, My precious life from the lions. I will give You thanks in the great assembly;I will praise You among many people. Psalm 35:17-18 NKJV
As we come before God with our problems and requests, how often do we remember to do so with thanksgiving?
Gratitude is God’s will for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 implores us to pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Many of us pray without ceasing, but do we do so with gratitude? An attitude of thanksgiving emboldens our prayers and stirs God to honor our requests.
Our gratitude acknowledges God and makes us aware of our limited abilities. David was ever dependent on God, as expressed in the Psalms. I suspect David’s gratitude gave him the confidence to defeat a lion, a bear, and eventually Goliath. His gratitude pleased God and gave him exceptional favor with the Lord. God’s favor fueled his confidence and boldness to come before God in his times of need continually. Thankfully, this same confidence is available to us as well. David acknowledged the Father, who always asked for what he needed with reverence and gratitude.
The inefficiency of some prayers could be rectified by acknowledging our desperation with appreciation. Effective prayer begins and ends with thanksgiving. When we glorify God, our prayers turn into conversations about how we can serve and not merely what we want to receive.
Pray without ceasing but always with thanksgiving. Powerful breakthroughs require powerful prayer. David’s prayers found favor with the Lord. Offered with gratitude, ours can too.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for the countless blessings in my life, both big and small. Help me to always remember the importance of gratitude, even in challenging times. May my heart be filled with appreciation for Your goodness and grace. Teach me to approach each day with a thankful spirit, recognizing Your presence in every moment. Let my gratitude shape my prayers, turning them into conversations of hope and trust in You. Amen.
Your turn: How does cultivating an attitude of gratitude impact our overall emotional and spiritual well-being? In what ways can gratitude enhance the effectiveness of our prayers? Why do you think David included thanksgiving in his pleas for help, and how can this practice influence our own prayers? How can we practice gratitude in our daily lives, especially during challenging times?
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