Start with Praise: 7 Empowering PrayersSýnishorn

Can We Really Give Thanks in All Circumstances?

In less than 20 words, we can feel convicted by this verse in First Thessalonians. “Always.” “Continually.” “In all circumstances.” Yikes!

Do we rejoice always?

Do we pray continually?

Continually?

Yes, that’s what it says. Other versions say, “Pray without ceasing”; “Pray constantly”; “never stop praying.” The Amplified version goes one step further and explains, “be unceasing and persistent in prayer.”

And what about verse 18? “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Umm, did you catch that?

It’s God’s will for you and me to give thanks, not just in the easy stuff, but in ALL circumstances. That one little three-letter word includes health problems, job layoffs, relationship struggles, financial woes, and any other kind of frustrating, stressful circumstances. God’s will for us is to be thankful.

In fact, the mere act of being thankful can transform a grumpy heart into a joyful one. Specifically, when we start thanking God for our blessings and answered prayers, we are reminded that we serve a big God who loves us and cares about us. Even during times of frustration, agony, pain, or sorrow, having a thankful heart can help our trials feel more bearable and less overpowering.

But be careful of saving the thanksgiving principle for just the big doozy of a trial. Remember, “in all circumstances” even includes the little annoyances that happen every day.

I like to share this simple illustration about the importance of being thankful. One Saturday morning, I woke up excited to make an omelet doused in salsa verde. (Strange, yes. But very tasty.) Unfortunately, I was out of the delicious green salsa. So I begrudgingly made a blander-than-desired breakfast and went to the grocery store to fill up our fridge. Of course, one of the first items in my shopping cart was salsa verde! Mmm, my new plan was a quesadilla doused in the green goodness for lunch.

Since grumpiness typically festers and grows, my shopping trip became overwhelmed with the dark cloud of crabbiness. Most of my regular items were unavailable, and I had to purchase alternatives—like a glass bottle of salsa verde instead of plastic. I plodded through the shopping trip, grumbling to myself that it was a much longer, more frustrating, and more expensive trip than planned.

As I began bringing the groceries into the house, one item didn’t quite make it. I lifted up the paper bag from the car and something went crashing to the ground. Yep, the salsa verde in the glass jar. Sometimes it’s the weirdest things that set us off. And this was it.

If I was a cartoon, steam would have been spewing out of my ears.

Suddenly everything was maddening. Grocery shopping was frustrating. Putting the groceries away by myself after I just spent forever purchasing them was annoying! Being a mother was hard!

Life was difficult!

But, thankfully, the Holy Spirit’s gentle reminder cut through my crabbiness: I had not had my quiet time yet. I put away the cold items, then plopped down in my chair, and the Holy Spirit convicted me of my ungrateful attitude. So I started thanking God… for my house, for the refrigerator that was old but kept the food cold, for the car that got me to and from the grocery store, for the (somewhat limited) funds that allowed me to even buy groceries (and to splurge a couple extra dollars on good salsa), for my family, for God’s Word.

Then I lifted up my eyes. What did I see out my window? Trees! Beautiful trees outlining a lovely blue sky. I took a deep breath and thanked God for His creativity in designing so many variations of backyard.

In that instant, my heart changed. My circumstances had not changed—only my attitude. But changing our attitude changes everything!

PRAISE
Heavenly Father, we praise You that You not only tell us to be thankful in all circumstances, but You help us to do so.

CONFESSION
Please forgive me for the times that I am not thankful or rejoicing or praying. You want to have a continuous, consistent relationship with me, yet I often get so distracted by the concerns of life. Forgive me for that, Lord, and help me remember that being thankful helps me keep my eyes on You.

THANKSGIVING
Lord, as I thank You in ALL circumstances, I want to specifically thank You for _______________

INTERCESSION
Help _______ rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Your will for him/her in Christ Jesus.
(From 1 Thessalonians 5 NIV)

PETITION
Help me rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Your will for me in Christ Jesus.
(From 1 Thessalonians 5 NIV)