When we read the letters of the Apostle Paul, we learn that he was a big advocate of giving thanks. He often wrote about how thankful he was, and he frequently encouraged his readers to be thankful.
In Colossians 4:2, he instructs the Church to “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving”.
In this verse, there’s a sense of:
- Being steadfast in prayer (some translations even say “Devote yourselves to prayer”)
- Be watchful.
- Be thankful.
This instruction comes just a few verses after Col 3:23-24, in which Paul writes: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ”.
In chapter three of his letter to the Colossian church, Paul has been speaking to households (wives, husbands and children), workers (“servants” or “slaves”) and then at the start of chapter four, to employers (“masters”). If you are in any workplace setting, Colossians chapters three and four speak powerfully to your role in serving God through your work.
Next, barely stopping for breath (remember that the chapter breaks we have today, and the sub-headings that break up sections, were not put there by the original writer!), Paul adds these significant instructions about prayer. It seems logical that these instructions on prayer form part of the same teaching for households, workers and masters.
This suggests that Paul felt these three things were necessary for households, workers and their managers: devotion to prayer, watchfulness and thankfulness.
The Word of God encourages us to ask with confidence and faith. Paul tells us elsewhere that God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (Eph 3:20); and Jesus taught us to keep asking, in order to receive (Matt 7:7). But what’s so special about praying with thankfulness?
I believe that thankfulness adds a significant and powerful dimension to our prayers. Here’s how:
- We set the scene by recognising what God has already done. We have so much to be thankful for, and remembering this before we ask the Lord for more reminds us, and anybody listening (in the natural or spiritual realm), of God’s faithfulness.
- If we’re praying with others, then we agree together that God is good. Speaking and agreeing on the things about God that we are thankful for brings us into unity over good things. Now, we’re praying together on the basis of God’s goodness.
- If we’re with others, then we also encourage each other. When I’m praying with somebody, and they start to recall what they’re thankful to God for, it encourages my soul and builds hope!
- We encourage ourselves! Even modern science1 shows that speaking out about what we are thankful for improves our well-being and may extend our lives!
- We remind ourselves that God is good, and He is able, which inspires our faith to ask Him to move again.
- We remind the enemy that God is good, and He is able, and we do this before we ask God to do things that only He can do.
- We make a bold declaration of faith by praising God despite our circumstances. If we’re facing difficulties, we can be like Habakkuk, who rejoiced in God in the face of his challenges:
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. (Hab 3:17-18 ESV)
A great example of the power of faith-filled thankfulness in the face of adversity can be found in 2 Chronicles 20. In this passage, Jehoshaphat and the kingdom of Judah came under siege. But the prophet Jahaziel assured the king and the people that the Lord would win the battle for them. So instead of fighting, the king sent out singers who went before the army, saying ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever’ (2 Chron. 20:21). The result was an abundant victory!
King Jehoshaphat instructed the people to be thankful on the front end of the battle, before the enemy was ever engaged. Let the truth of God’s goodness fill your heart, he told them; praise Him for who He is. “Stand firm,” said the prophet, “hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf” (2 Chron. 20:17). I sense that being thankful for what God had promised helped keep their minds on the outcome that they had not yet experienced, so that they did not get distracted or discouraged by the present circumstances. How powerful!
Why not take some time when you pray, to consider what about God are you thankful for?
Here are a few ideas to get started with. We can be thankful because:
- God hears us when we pray. He is faithful.
- We have a relationship with Him through Jesus.
- He called each one of us and loves us.
- We have testimonies of prayers He has answered.
- He provides for us.
- He speaks to us.
- He made a good creation, and we live in that blessing.
Now add your own, personal expressions of thankfulness. Why not make it a habit to start your prayers with thankfulness, and see what it does for you and your relationship with God?
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1. From Harvard Medical School: Recent research has pointed to gratitude’s myriad positive health effects, including greater emotional and social well-being, better sleep quality, lower depression risks, and favorable markers of cardiovascular health. Now, new data from the long-term Nurses’ Health Study shows that it may extend lives.