Begin By Giving Thanks Day-Four Devotional Series

Recently I was asked, “Why do you always begin your prayer giving thanks to God for answers?” I never thought about it until I was asked. My response, “Forever!”

The word “thanksgiving” comes from eucharisteo, the root meaning of “grace.” When you tell someone “thank you,” you are communicating “grace” to them and you receive “grace” from God.

Thanksgiving puts you on praying ground. When you come into God’s presence with a grateful heart, He recognizes your sincerity and listens to your request. The wonderful thing about thanksgiving is that it takes away self-centered living. You rely on other people to help you, and you rely on God.

Paul teaches us to attach thanksgivings to our prayers, “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6, NKJV). Did you see that “thanksgiving” comes before making “requests”? That’s God’s divine priority.

Giving thanks makes you obedient. Note how many times in the Psalms we are commanded to give thanks (see Ps. 30:4; 97:12; 105:1; 106:1; 47; 107:1; 118:1; 29; 136:1-3; 26). So when you pray with thanksgiving, you become obedient.

Paul said, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2, NKJV). Note how often Paul gave thanks (see Romans 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:4; Phil. 1:3; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:3; Philem. 4). Don’t you realize that being obedient puts you close to the heart of God? Isn’t that the place where we get answers to prayer?

We are facing many political and social battles as we pray the Daniel Fast. Notice what Daniel did when things turned against him because his enemies in the political court had a civic law passed prohibiting him from praying. Did he quit? “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home . . . he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God” (Dan. 6:10, NKJV).

Because Daniel knew that God had answered his prayers in the past, he gave thanks. Isn’t it hard to thank God for problems and barriers in our life? But Daniel teaches us to continue giving thanks even as we face barriers.

Be thankful for your fellow workers, rather than yelling at them. Be thankful for your children, rather than criticizing them. And how about being thankful for our President, our government, and those who rule over us? We should be thankful that we don’t live under a dictator, nor do we despair with no hope, and no reason to live.

Today, thank God for what food you have, for the clothes on your body, and for whatever shelter you have. Thank God for family, friends, and the nation in which you live. Thank God for every possession you own, but most of all thank God for all He has done through the death of Jesus Christ for you. When you do that, you are ready to pray and intercede for the coming election in six days – Elmer Towns©

-My Time to Pray-

• Lord, thank You for hearing me in the past, and answering my prayers.

• Lord, thank You for protecting me from danger . . . both known and unknown.

• Lord, thank You for my nation, its government and the leaders over me.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

To email Dr. Towns - eltowns@liberty.edu.