Day One: Beginning with Thanksgiving

Scripture Memorization: (Pick One)

Discussion Starter:

Day Two: The Source of Our Joy

Colossians 1:11-12 “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

The central theme of Colossians is Christ. He is exalted and worshiped for His divine nature; for being the Creator and Sustainer of all things; for His preeminence over all creation and over all cosmic rulers and powers; for His redemptive, reconciling work on the cross; for defeating the powers of darkness; for being the Head of the Church which is His Body; for being the fulfillment and substance of Old Testament types and figures; for being the believer’s life and hope of glory; and so much more!

Colossians 2:6-7 – “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Within the four chapters of this short epistle, Paul calls us to be sexually pure, compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, forgiving, loving, peaceful, obedient, just, wise, gracious, and thankful!

For all that Jesus is, He calls us to a life of faithful obedience and heartfelt gratitude. Colossians 4:2 – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Scripture Memorization: (Pick One)

Discussion Starter:

Action Step: Meditate on Jesus

Read through the following passages from Colossians, meditating on them, praying them back to God, and using them as a basis for giving thanks to Him:

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, You are the source of light and life and all joy—show me who You are and open my eyes to see You rightly. Overwhelm my heart with Your power, goodness, love, and glory, that my heart would default to praising You in every moment. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

1 Corinthians 13:13 – “Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Day Three: Stand in His Promises

Today, I am thankful that faith, hope and love remain.

God is constant, God is sure, and God is true. He is holding me firmly in His hand, and my salvation is secure in Him. God deserves my confidence and hope, because His word cannot be changed or corrupted.

Romans 8:24 “For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees?” His agape, sacrificial, love shown on the cross is why my faith and hope exist.

No matter what you or I go through today, we can know that God’s love for us endures. The God in whom we have placed our faith and is the reason for our hope will never fail us. Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”

Even now, these three remain: faith, hope and love.

Scripture Memorization: (Pick One)

Discussion Starter:

Action Step: Craft your testimonies of thanks.

Today, write out your personal testimony of God’s saving grace.

If you have time, write another brief testimony of a time after your initial salvation, when you were in distress, you cried out to the Lord, and He came to your rescue.

Then share your story (His story) with someone else today. Tell them how grateful you are to the Lord for saving you—eternally, as well as in your daily distresses.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Father God, I am so very grateful that You see my distresses, hear my desperate cries, and willingly provide Divine deliverance. Thank You for Your goodness, for Your steadfast love that endures, for me, forever.

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Four: Your Spiritual Benefits Package

Psalm 103:2 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

When was the last time you considered the benefits package you have received from the Lord? These would be the many little things in life, the gifts that make each day a true blessing. Psalm 105:5 “Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth”

As we recognize and identify the specific blessings we have received from God and from others, we discover countless reasons for expressing gratitude. The psalmist took time to bless the Lord for specific benefits—he didn’t want to forget even one of them! As you open your heart to Him in prayer today, ask God to reveal to you just how great your “benefits package” really is.

Scripture Memorization:

Discussion Starter:

Action Step: Develop a benefits inventory.

Make a list for each of these headings: “Gifts from God” and “Gifts from Others.” Write down everything that comes to mind.

Take some time to walk through your list line by line, thanking God for each of these benefits. Then, read Psalm 103 aloud. Try memorizing and meditating on at least the first five verses over the next week or so.

Add to these lists over the 21 Days of Prayer and see how large your spiritual benefits package truly is!

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the many gifts you have bestowed upon me. You have been a generous and loving Father, giving me more than I deserve or even know. For all that You’ve given, I now turn back to praise You and bless Your holy name. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Five: Grateful for the Little Things

Ephesians 5:20 – “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Is your heart becoming more in tune to the many reasons you have to be grateful? We are surrounded by so many blessings, it is easy to overlook the multitude of little things God gives every day.

When you meditate on Ephesians 5:20, are you struck by the word “everything.” We can be reminded of the importance of thanking God for even those “little things” that we often overlook. It can make us pause today and be thankful for, well … the little things we take for granted – soap, shoes, etc.

This may require another separate list from the ones you made yesterday, but it’s definitely a category worth considering. James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Since everything is a gift from God, “everything” is something to be thankful for.

Scripture Memorization:

Ephesians 5:20
James 1:17
Discussion Starter:

“If tomorrow’s supply depended on today’s thanksgiving, how much would I have tomorrow?”
Action Step: Be thankful for the little things.

What “little things” can you add to the gratitude lists you’ve started? Throughout your day today, observe how many little things you have been blessed with and be sure to thank God specifically for them.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Father God, You have blessed me with an abundance of little things. Open my eyes to what You’ve given me so that I might specifically thank You. Grow a grateful heart in me so that in all things—in everything—I might find how You are blessing me. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Six: Your Top Ten Blessings

Romans 11:33 – “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”

Robertson McQuilkin, former president of Columbia International University, tells of a time when, following his wife’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s and the death of his eldest son, he retreated alone to a mountain hideaway. He wanted time to reorient his heart and recapture a love for God that had slowly evaporated in the heat of personal, tragic loss.

After a day devoted to prayer and fasting, he began writing God a love letter, enumerating the gifts he had received from the Lord’s hand. He identified ten particular blessings from God that just absolutely exceeded his imagination, things he could hardly find words to express how invaluable they were, how impossible life would be without them.

Even in the worst of circumstances, God’s hand is generous in blessing. Psalm 40:5 – “Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them,They would be too numerous to count.

Scripture Memorization:

Romans 11:33–36
Psalm 40:5
Discussion Starter:

Look back what Christ has done, Look up with worship and praise and look inward to your commitment to Christ.
Action Step: Name your top blessings.

List the spiritual blessings that are so big, you could never generate enough gratitude to express what they mean to you and what they tell you about your Savior.

The next time your mind is troubled by sad or worrisome thoughts, think about how his blessings has sustained you. When you feel weighted down, focus on what He has done and begin to give thanks.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, because of You, I have every spiritual blessing I need. Thank You for rescuing me from the domain of darkness, transferring me into Your Kingdom, redeeming me, and forgiving me. Even in the worst of times, what You have done for me is beyond comprehension! Thank You.

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Seven: Three Lessons in Gratitude

Luke 17:15 “Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.”

Jesus healed ten men of leprosy. There is much we can learn from one man who returned to give thanks to the Lord for His blessing.

First, he came loudly. He couldn’t contain his gratitude. This occasion called for an unrestrained, extreme, public display of thanks.

Second, he came close. The ten lepers “stood at a distance” (v. 12) from Jesus—lepers were ceremonially defiled and weren’t allowed to come close to those who were “clean.” The healed leper, however, “fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks” (v. 16); he was the only one of the ten who ever got close to Jesus. Gratitude places us in close proximity to Christ, where we experience the fullness of His redeeming power and enjoy the blessing of His presence.

Third, he came from a distance. “He was a Samaritan” (v. 16). This man had never known the true God until Jesus came into his world and transformed his life. After being separated from Jesus by a religious, cultural, and physical gulf, he loved what he saw in Jesus. Gratitude will draw you close to Jesus.

Scripture Memorization:

Luke 17:11–15
Discussion Starter:

What have you done or would do if God intervened in this way?
What significance would it have for you?
Action Step: Verbalize your gratitude.

Look for an opportunity today to thank the Lord for what He has done in your life—aloud and in the presence of others.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, I want to be like the one healed leper who returned to give thanks for what You’ve done. You have worked in my life, healing my sin-stricken soul just as you healed the leper of his physical disease. I come back to You again, with loud praise for redeeming me and healing me. I draw close to You, fall at Your feet, and proclaim Your power and goodness over my life. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Eight: Posture Check

James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Gratitude is the overflow of a humble heart, just as surely as an ungrateful, complaining spirit flows out of a proud heart. Proud people are wrapped up in themselves. If people or circumstances don’t please or suit them, they are prone to whine or become resentful.

A humble person thinks much of God and others and spends little time fixating on himself. He recognizes that anything he has is better than he deserves. He doesn’t feel anyone owes him anything. He doesn’t feel entitled to have more, or for life to be easy, or for everyone to love him and treat him well. He’s grateful for the least little kindness that’s extended to him, knowing it’s more than he deserves.

Scripture Reading:

James 4:6–10
Discussion Starter:

How does your complaining manifest a spirit of pride, entitlement, and expectations?
Action Step: Confess prideful postures.

Make a list of anything you can recall whining about recently.

Then take time to sit quietly before the Lord. Confess any pride that has shown itself in complaining, irritability, anger, or resentment. Humbly tell Him that you don’t deserve any of His favor, and give Him thanks for any specific recent blessings He brings to mind.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Heavenly Father, so often my default posture is one of pride. Forgive me for my self-focus and fix my heart upon You and others. Help me to think little about and of myself so that there is room for You and for loving people around me. Reset my posture to one of gratitude and teach me to be quick to give thanks for everything. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Nine: Grateful People Are Generous People

2 Corinthians 9:11 – “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

What do generosity and gratitude have in common? Where gratitude grows, you’ll generally find generosity flourishing as well. This goes against conventional wisdom, however, that implores us to take of ourselves before giving to others, especially in this risky, volatile, and dangerous economic era.

God’s wisdom says something else though. In our Scripture reading for today, Paul expressed a surprising lack of concern for economic indicators when he advised the Corinthian church to let generosity be among the most notable expressions of their gratitude. His trust in God’s supply was so strong, he treated as a “given” the fact that the church would “be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (v. 11). “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (v. 8).

In all things. At all times. Even these times. God’s people are to be grateful people who are generous people.

Scripture Reading:

2 Corinthians 9:6–15
Discussion Starter:

What act(s) of generosity might gratitude be motivating you toward today?
Action Step: Be generous.

Ask God for wisdom and faith, and then follow through on the promptings of His Spirit in relation to your giving.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, show me today how to express my gratitude for You and You goodness through my acts of generosity today. Let me hold loosely to my time, my resources, and my possessions so that I might freely give them to bless others in need. I choose to trust you to supply my every need so that I might meet the needs of others, for Your name and Your glory. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Ten: Grateful for Things Unseen

1 Corinthians 2:9 – “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”

There are blessings in your life and mine that “no eye has seen, nor ear heard” (v. 9)—blessings that are so because life rolls smoothly in their absence. For example,

Think of the many miles you’ve driven without getting a flat tire.
Think of the big tree out front that’s never dropped a damaging limb on your house.
Think of a destructive sin or habit the Lord has kept you from being tempted by.
Perhaps you’re hobbled by a medical problem or two, but:

Think of a dozen you’ve never experienced.
All these good things go unnoticed, unseen, unheard—but are definite blessings from the Lord.

Scripture Memorization:

1 Corinthians 2:6–11
Discussion Starter:

What are some of your unseen or unheard blessings?
Action Step: Intercede for others.

You’ll find your blessings multiplying at an amazing rate. Gratitude can (and should) lead us to intercession. A good prayer starter is to ask God to remind you of those who do suffer from some of the things He’s spared you from. Lift these people up to Him today.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, I thank You for the many unseen and unheard ways You have spared me heartache and trouble and inconvenience. Remind me of Your care as I go throughout my day, and prompt me to intercede for my loved ones who are in need today. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Eleven: Wondering Anew at God’s Mercy

Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

If you’re a Christian, the best thing that’s ever happened to you is being saved from sure destruction for your sins and then stepping into the family of God that last for an eternity.

Sadly, time can tend to dull our appreciation of what Christ did for us. Life gets so busy and complicated; we can go for weeks—or longer—without being swept away by the awesomeness of our salvation.

One cool paraphrases of Romans 5:8 says: “God demonstrated His love toward us in this: while we were in open, hostile rebellion toward Him, having no interest in Him—not only that, but also actively despising Him and all that He stands for—Christ died for us.”

Praise God, gratitude can reopen the wonder to us, throwing back the dingy curtains of complacency until the full light of His grace and glory come streaming through.

The salvation we have in Christ is an incredible diamond with countless brilliant facets. Stand in grateful awe of His work for you today.

Scripture Memorization:

Romans 5:1–11
Discussion Starter:

What spiritual blessings in today’s Scripture reading need to be added to your list of “Gifts from God”?
Action Step: Consider God’s mercy.

Take time to wonder anew at the mercy God has had upon you. Let your gratitude swell and overwhelm you once again.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Father God, thank You once again for loving me when I was Your enemy. Awaken my heart to the heights and depths of Your mercy toward me, a sinner. Teach me to cultivate a grateful heart for all that You’ve done and all that You are. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Twelve: The Health Benefits of a Grateful Heart

3 John 2 – “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”

The health benefits of the attitude of gratitude has been proven in numerous secular studies and research projects. From better sleep to fewer medical symptoms, gratitude just seems to satisfy.

The apostle John says to his beloved sons and brothers in Christ, “I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” (3 John 2). There’s something physically strengthening and sustaining about being joyful in the Lord and grateful for His blessings.

While living a godly life does not guarantee physical health, a healthy (spiritual) heart can do much to enhance our physical and emotional well-being.

Scripture Memorization:

3 John 1–4
Discussion Starter:

What differences have you noticed in your overall wellness and outlook?
Action Step: Consider your physical health.

Our gratitude journey is 12 days in. Make note of how you are feeling physically and ask God to show you how an attitude of gratitude is helping.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Heavenly God, I ask you to develop an attitude of gratitude within me so that it may be well with my soul. Show me where I’m defaulting to negativity and pride, and help me to choose gratitude for the sake of my health. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Thirteen: Joyful in the Darkest Night

Psalm 43:5 – “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

The Psalms are a good place to camp out if your heart’s desire is to be grateful—though not because they’re filled only with happy, upbeat sentiments. They vibrate with every emotion known to man. They speak of backbreaking pressures, deep valleys of depression, and times when life barely seems worth living. And yet the Psalms reveal that the only ultimate answer to trouble, grief, pain, and loss is a constant returning to God in worship and gratitude.

Even in the darkest night, you can still experience His peace and rest, knowing that the joy of morning is ahead. Resolve not to let your joy level be determined by the presence or absence of storms, but by the presence of God. Choose to be joyful in Him today.

Scripture Memorization:

Psalm 43:1–5
Discussion Starter:

Why is it essential to worship and be thankful in the midst of the storms we face?
Action Step: Camp out in the Psalms.

Choose a few psalms to read throughout the day (aloud if possible). See if they don’t cause praise and thanks to well up in your heart.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Heavenly Father, I thank you for Your ever-present help and fellowship, especially in the dark times. When darkness falls, would You help me, Lord Jesus, to be joyful in You and Your love? Capture my gaze and fill my heart with the joy of Your presence. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Fourteen: When Joy Hides Behind Our Circumstances

Psalm 56:4 – “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Psalm 56 is a hymn of praise and trust, of confidence and strength, of worship and gratitude. This particular one was written in far less than ideal circumstances, however. David was on the run from King Saul, and when he was spotted and seized by the Philistines in the city of Gath, he faked insanity to avoid being detained.

Yet in the midst of intense, frightening hardship, he submitted himself to the Lord’s protection and found within this relationship the ability to say, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you…. What can flesh do to me?” (vv. 3–4). He didn’t deny the reality of what was happening to him, but he found reason to be grateful even for his sorrows.

Scripture Memorization:

Psalm 56:4
Discussion Starter:

What is something that fear has held you back?
What is something that you are afraid to give to Jesus to take over?
Action Step: Go hunting for hidden joy.

Perhaps it’s hard for you to find much to be thankful for today. Look above your circumstances, beyond your fears, and ask God to show you what He’s doing in the midst of them. Then look back through your list of blessings and benefits, adding any new ones that come to mind. Focus on the ones that give you the most comfort in crisis.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, will You open my eyes to see the joy that may be hidden under and behind the tough circumstances in life? You are always doing more than I can ever see or think or know—help me to trust You are working so I can see beyond my circumstances and find joy. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Fifteen: Keep on Growing in Gratitude

1 Timothy 4:15 – “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.”

As we near the end of our 21 Days of Prayer, take a little quiz today to see where you’re growing and where you still need work. Try answering these questions candidly—not just yes or no, but with supporting details that come to mind:

Do I often complain about my circumstances, feeling like I deserve better?
Do others hear me voice more complaints and negative comments than words of gratitude about the typical events of daily life?
Would others describe me as a thankful person?
What evidence is there that I have a grateful or an ungrateful spirit?
How often do I begin statements with these words: “I am so thankful that . . .”?
Do I more frequently display a pessimistic, negative outlook or a positive, grateful perspective?
Am I reserved or eager when it comes to expressing appreciation to others?
My most recent expression of gratitude was . . .
Scripture Memorization:

1 Timothy 4:11–16
Discussion Starter:

Is my faith journey increasing or become stagnant?
Action Step: Find a Gratitude Partner.

If you haven’t done so already, consider challenging yourself into an accountability setting, letting others help you stay true to your commitment, while being there to offer your support to them as well.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, how I long to keep growing in gratitude and in Your likeness. Show me where I need to walk in greater obedience and how I can take steps of faithful obedience. Please continue on with me, cultivating a heart of gratitude that reflects Your goodness in my life. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Sixteen: Power in Praise

Psalm 30:4 – “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.”

The word sing occurs over one hundred times in the Bible—more than sixty appear in the book of Psalms. Verses 4 and 12 in today’s passage both tie singing and giving thanks together. There are a number of illustrations in Scripture of the powerful effect of praise through music.

When we look at how we handle chronic discouragement or depression, we can often ask two questions:

1. Are you memorizing Scripture?

2. Are you singing to the Lord?

These aren’t magic pills that will make every emotional struggle go away, but they can be extremely effective at recalibrating our heart and restoring inner peace. As we sing to the Lord in the midst of our discouragement, hurt or loss that our heart and mind are re-tethered to His goodness and love, and invariably, the cloud begins to lift.

Scripture Memorization:

Psalm 30
Discussion Starter:

What is holding you back from singing today?
God show me that I can!
Action Step: Sing praises.

Whether it’s a cloudy or sunny day in your heart, sing! Right now, if possible. Put on a CD or music from your iPod and sing along or just sing to Him on your own.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, today I choose to praise you in song, both in my heart and with my voice. You have promised to inhabit the praises of Your people, and I ask You to come near as I sing out to You. Draw near to me and grow gratitude in my heart today. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Seventeen: Seek Something Better Than Happy

Proverbs 3:13 – “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.”

When the writer of Proverbs outlines the benefits of wisdom, he is also advertising the benefits of every other habit and discipline inspired by the Scriptures. And since the practice of being thankful is a basic characteristic of God’s people, I believe these passages that call us to wise, godly living can appropriately be applied to the issue of gratitude as well. That’s why I really like what’s implied in today’s reading. It begins and ends with a word—blessed—that portrays the type of person God desires and enables us to be.

Some Bible translations use a slightly different word … happy. For most people, happiness is tied to circumstances—to what is happening in their lives. For Christians, however, happiness or blessedness is not dependent on the weather, the stock market, or how our last haircut turned out.

Real happiness—that unshakable sense of peace, contentment, and well-being—comes as we remind ourselves of the blessings we have in Christ and then respond with thankfulness.

Scripture Memorization:

Proverbs 3:13–18
Discussion Starter:

What can I seek that will make a difference?
Action Step: Develop a happy countenance.

We’ve talked about being loud with our thanksgiving, being vocal about what God is doing. Check your countenance to be sure it is also expressing a joyful, thankful heart.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Father God, I ask that You might grant me a greater vision for my life than mere happiness. I want more than that—I want to be blessed, to have a joy and gratitude that doesn’t change with my life happenings. Let me look to Your blessings for my joy. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Eighteen: When Gratitude Is Last on Your List

Psalm 50:15 – “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Plenty of occasions exist in life where being thankful is the last thing you feel like doing, where nothing seems good or gratitude-worthy. The psalmist instructs us to call upon God in the day of trouble, to offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Even when nothing in your life looks praiseworthy, we are to continue to fulfill our vows to the Lord and praise Him for what He will do. That may seem strange—or impossible! We’re not expected to thank God for things that are sinful. But we can give thanks in everything, knowing that God is still God and He uses all things in this fallen world to accomplish His purposes.

Begin to track the ways that God is using these circumstances in your life. Perhaps they’re causing you to become more dependent on Him, or to call upon Him in prayer, or to exercise faith in His promises. When we call upon our Lord “in the day of trouble,” with minds set on glorifying Him, He does marvelous things in the midst of our pain and sorrow.

Scripture Memorization:

Psalm 50:14–15, 23
Discussion Starter:

Are you facing a day of trouble? Go to the Lord, offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and wait for His sure deliverance.
Action Step: Make your troubles a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Make a list of all the difficult things in your life today. Spell them out, as detailed as you want. Then offer it all back to the Lord as a sacrifice of thanksgiving, trusting the Lord to work through your life and bring you to a place where you can glorify Him. Thank Him by faith that He can use each of these situations as a means to display His glory.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, You are worthy of praise even in my day of trouble. I give back to you all that weighs upon me today, and I commit to trusting You with it all. Because You have promised to deliver me, I praise You and glorify Your name. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Nineteen: Gratitude Isn’t Silent

1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 – “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When you read Paul’s New Testament letters, you can’t help but notice he was thankful for others. Paul didn’t just leave it at generalized expressions of gratitude—he often took time to identify specific individuals for whom he was grateful and then let them know how much he appreciated their contribution to his life and ministry.

People matter to God. And they should matter to us. It’s important to take time to recognize and express appreciation for the contributions that even little-known people make to His kingdom and to our lives.

Scripture Memorization: (Pick One)

Romans 1:8;
1 Corinthians 1:4;
Ephesians 1:15–16;
Philippians 1:3–4;
Colossians 1:3–4;
1 Thessalonians 1:2–3;
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Discussion Starter:

Is there anything that is holding me back from showing my thankfulness?
Action Step: Thank others for being a blessing to you.

Today, make a list of individuals who have blessed or touched your life in some way. Ask yourself, “Have I ever thanked this person for the way God has used him/her in my life?” Put a checkmark next to each individual to whom you have expressed gratitude.

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Lord Jesus, I want to love people the way You showed us. Help me to express my gratitude to others for specific ways they have invested in me and enriched my life. Thank You for giving me people who love me and care for me. Open my eyes to every person who needs encouragement from me for how they have loved me. You Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Twenty: The Family that Gratitude Builds

2 Timothy 1:5 – “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”

The lesson of Eunice and Lois is that the greatest legacy you can leave your children is to have continually pointed them towards Jesus. They model two powerful ways of doing this: living out your personal faith in a genuine way and teaching your children the Scriptures.

Godly character—or the lack thereof—shows up within the four walls of our homes. We can’t say we love God if we don’t manifest His love to our family members or if we allow bitterness to fester in our hearts toward them. For the most part, we don’t get to choose our family members, as we do our friends. Yet we are called to love and care for those in our families, in spite of their personalities, their idiosyncrasies, or their character flaws. And that’s not always easy!

Never underestimate the godly influence you can have on the lives of your children.

Scripture Memorization: (Pick One)

2 Timothy 1:3–5
3:14–15
1 Timothy 5:8
Discussion Starter:

When was the last time you voiced your gratitude for your family? Each person brings something unique to the mix—ask God to cultivate a heart of gratitude for each person in your family and to help you express that to each one.
Action Step: Give gratitude for your family.

Today, focus on expressing gratitude for and to your family members. Make a list of each member of your immediate family. Next to each name, write one quality about their life for which you are particularly grateful.

Take time to thank God for each member of the family He has given you. Then pick one or two individuals from your list to whom you can express gratitude today, in person, by phone, or with a note or an e-mail. (Note: You may want to express gratitude to a family member who has been especially difficult to love.)

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Heavenly Father, I choose to thank You for each member of my family and for how they enrich my life. Help me to express thanks to them and grow in patience toward them. Cultivate in me a heart of praise and grace for those who know me best and see me most. Thank You!

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Twenty-One: Develop Your Gratitude Goals

Galatians 5:22–23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

As you launch out in your new lifestyle of gratitude, start by setting some goals for what you want God to accomplish in your heart. Be specific about the ways you intend to practice ongoing thankfulness. For example, if you want to become more deliberate about writing thank-you notes, how many would you like send in a typical week or month? What Scriptures do you plan to memorize and meditate on in relation to thankfulness? Whom will you ask to hold you accountable for specific areas where you need to grow in the grace of gratitude?

Scripture Memorization:

Galatians 5:16–24
Discussion Starter:

Whatever mechanics this requires to get it up and running will be worth the freedom you’ll find to pursue it with passion. Are you ready to experience the life-changing power of Christian gratitude? Then let the Lord help you decide what your next steps should be.
Action Step: Set your gratitude goals and write your own heartfelt prayer.

Based on the questions provided, determine what gratitude goals you will set. Be sure to outline all the details and what you need to be successful. Next, write a simple prayer, expressing to the Lord your desire to develop a radically grateful lifestyle. Thank Him for His supernatural grace that will enable you to “abound in thanksgiving.”

Pray for a Grateful Heart

Heavenly Father, I confess my Gratitude/thankfulness was not where it should of been when I started. Please forgive me for my hardened heart and blinded eyes. But thank you for showing me where to grow these last twenty-one days and help me to continue to cultivate within me a grateful heart that eagerly praises You for every blessing.

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.

Day Twenty-Two: Unleash in Me a heart of Gratitude/Thanksgiving

Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

I’ve often said that gratitude is learning to recognize and express appreciation for the benefits we have received from God and from others.

This means constantly being on the lookout for blessings, making each day a treasure hunt. It means being intentional about thanking God and others for the blessings that come our way.

To discover your Gratitude Quotient, see which of these statements is most true for you:

I look at the world through grateful eyes and consistently express my gratitude to God and others.
I know I’ve been greatly blessed, but I don’t often stop to actually express my gratitude to God and others.
To be honest, I had not thought a lot about gratitude until starting this challenge. I’ve got a long way to go to develop a lifestyle of gratitude.
I’m a whiner! I tend to focus on my problems, and I frequently express them to others.
Scripture Memorization:

Colossians 3:12–17
Discussion Starter:

Lord, what will you have for me next that I can be thankful?
Action Step/Prayer:

Today, God unleash in me a desire to be thankful in every situation and to see that my walk has an everlasting impact to those around me. Keep me humble as I encounter the blessings as well as strong as I face the attacks of the enemy. Surround me with brothers and sisters that will keep me accountable and that we will make each other stronger in our faith. Amen.

We would love to have you join us this Sunday at 8am, 9:30am or 11am.