The Gift of Gratitude: The Highest Form of Prayer
- Isabella Boston
- Nov 19, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Oxford dictionary defines gratitude as “the quality of being thankful: readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” So how do we show thankfulness to God? How do we show our appreciation and return kindness to Him for all that he has done and continues to do for us daily?
By having a heart of gratitude.
We should always love God with a heart of thanksgiving and gratitude. Jesus, himself, began and ended his prayers with words of thanks and praise to his Father in Heaven (Luke 10:21). And since Jesus is our Teacher, Savior, and Master, we should do the same!
We can start by stopping our need to complain. When we complain, we lessen our connection with God by being ungrateful. We are saying to Him: “I am not thankful for all that you have already done. I am not thankful for the prayers you have already answered. I am not thankful for all that you have given me yesterday, today, and will give me for the days to come!” This is not the way for us to show our appreciation to the Father. He deserves our kindness. He deserves our respect. He deserves our gratitude.
We can also show our thanks to our Father in Heaven by being kind and loving to others. It doesn’t take much to show a small act of kindness: a sincere smile, a kind gesture, a gift of food or money, or even simply just giving someone your time who needs it the most. Remember, by loving others, we are also loving God and showing Him how grateful we are to be here during this time on this beautiful earth with the fullness and sacredness of life in us, and all around us - for without God, we are nothing.
We should show our Heavenly God gratitude by praying without ceasing. Jesus prayed often, and on one occasion, He prayed all night (Luke 6:12). When we are praying to God, we are in constant Holy Communion with Him; I believe nothing pleases Him more.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ~ Romans 5:3-5.
I have always felt throughout my life that difficult times were merely blessings in disguise. Sometimes God allows us to suffer because He is preparing us for something greater that is to come. He is preparing you for battle on His behalf. He has anointed you to do good for His will. He has called you for His purpose (Romans 8:28). Embrace your sufferings, because they are sacred. Always give thanks to God during times of suffering and pain, because He not only has chosen you for His sacred calling, but is also trusting you to do His will.
Gratitude is powerful: it brings us more peace and happiness, more blessings, better health, a peace of mind, and blesses us with the gift of perseverance. Overall, we are stronger, wiser, happier, and healthier people when we praise God with a heart of gratitude: It is the highest form of prayer, deepening our oneness with Him, with His Universe, and with all His world around Us.
An Invitation to Accept Jesus Christ into Your Life
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16.
If you are reading this and have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I ask you to do so now. You are not reading this by coincidence. The Word of God says: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." - Romans 10:9-10.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Our Heavenly Father and Creator sent Him to die for our sins (John 3:16). All sins, no matter how big, are covered by the sacrificing and atoning blood of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:13-14, 1 John 2:2, 1 Peter 3:18).
The time is now. There will be no second chance after death: "And just as it is appointed to man to die once, and after that comes judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him." (Hebrews 9:27-28).
Life is your second chance. Every second of the day that you live, God is giving you the chance and opportunity to accept the gift of salvation given to all of us through His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross.
I repeat: There will be no other chance after death.
Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - Matthew 7:13-14.
Which road will you take? The choice is yours, but the time is now, because tomorrow is not promised to any of us. (Proverbs 27:1).
There is no "in between" either. You must pick a side, for Jesus Christ has said, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." - Matthew 12:30.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20.
How to Accept Jesus Christ into Your Life
Confession of Sin: Acknowledge you are a sinner and need forgiveness (Romans 3:23)
Belief in Jesus: Believe He is the Son of God, died for your sins, and was resurrected (Romans 10:9)
Repentance: Turn away from sin and self-centered living.
Invitation: Ask Jesus to come into your heart and life as Lord and Savior.
Commitment: Choose to follow Him and live for Him.
Gratitude: Thank God for the gift of salvation and eternal life.
I plead with you, with all my heart, to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Please repent of your sins, and profess with your mouth from your heart the following: that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 20:31, 1 John 4:15, Romans 10:9), He suffered and died on the cross for the sins of the world, God raised Him from the dead three days later, and He accended into Heaven and now sits at the Right Hand of our Almighty Father and God (Hebrews 1:3, Romans 8:34). He will come again to judge both the living and the dead. (2 Timothy 4:1). And, finally, please make every effort to get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Matthew 3:15),
You must confess all of the above things from your heart for the gift of salvation that was given by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, on the cross. If you need some help, please use the example below as a prayer from Pastor Rick Warren:
"Dear God,
I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
Remember, it's not just about the words, but the sincere attitude and change of heart that matters to God. You can pray in your own words or use the prayer above.
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World! Please accept Him into your heart and life today and spread the good news!
I testify by the Holy Spirit of God that these things are true. I say all of this to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, our Lord and Savior, amen.
"Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." - Revelation 22:12-13.
