7 Things We Don’t Thank God for Enough

James 1:17 - “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

I love the way James gives us a reminder that every good gift is from God. Sometimes we like to take credit for the good things in our lives. But all the good is of God. He is the creator and sustainer of anything good. So thank God for the good things in your life today.

Dear God,

Thank you for the good things in my life. I don’t say thank you enough and I want to give credit where credit is due. I know everything good in my life is from you, for you, and only because of you.

Amen.

2. Thank God for All Circumstances in Your Life

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - “Rejoice always.”

When we stop and think about our lives, this verse becomes more than a token verse to put on a plaque in the house or to fill the screen on your phone. When we begin to learn to thank God always, we learn to thank him in the good times and the bad times. That is a difficult lesson to learn but practicing it daily can change our perspective.

Dear God,

Thank you for every circumstance in my life right now. Even though I do not understand everything and cannot figure everything out, I want to thank you. I know you are working all things out. I trust you have a plan. I believe you will get the glory so I am going to thank you ahead of time.

Amen.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Bartek Szewczyk

Psalm 100:4 - “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

When I think of entering God’s presence, I have a euphoric idea of entering the majestic throne room of heaven. But here’s the deal – God’s presence is here with us right now. For all who follow Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit with us now. It is not about walking into a holy place, it’s about making our daily lives a holy offering of thanks. It’s waking up each day and entering the day with a thankful heart.

Dear God,

Thank you today for a new day. Thank you for breath in my lungs and a heart that is pumping. Thank you for new mercy and grace for another day. Thank you for the people I will come in contact with today. I praise you for a new day to thank you.

Amen.

4. Thank God for the Air You Breathe

Genesis 2:7 - “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Years ago, I started a daily practice of praying before I get out of bed in the morning. As soon as I am awake enough to realize I am awake, I thank the Lord for the air I am breathing and a new day to be alive. It’s easy to get discouraged or depressed and forget that the air we breathe, and the life we live, is from God.

Dear God,

As I take a deep breath in and exhale, I want to thank you for giving me another day to live. Life might not be perfect, but I want to thank you for another day of it.

Amen.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Aaron Amat

John 9:31 - “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.”

Prayer is one of those things we know we should do, but we rarely do enough. It is our lifeline to the throne of God. It is our source of communication with our creator. While I often remember to thank God for the food I eat and the people in my life, I rarely take time to thank God for allowing me to speak to Him as His child, to come to Him as forgiven, or to bow before Him in prayer as one of His own.

Dear God,

Thank you for this beautiful way I have to communicate my thanks, my needs, and my heart to you. I know I don’t deserve to be in your presence, but thank you for making a way for me to be able to talk to you anytime, anywhere.

Amen.

6. Thank God for Nearness to Him

James 4:8 – “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

When we pray, we not only have the opportunity to communicate with God, but we also have the ability to be near to God. As in any relationship, the more you communicate, the closer you become. So it is with God. The more you engage with Him, cleanse your heart before Him and trust Him, the closer your heart is to His.

Dear God,

Thank you for allowing me to be near to you. Thank you for drawing me close to you even when I don’t deserve it. Thank you for the ability to be near to you.

Amen.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Sasiistock

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

While the work of God’s unseen hand is no surprise to most of us, it’s something to give God praise for even when we don’t actively see it. God is always working things together. He knows the end from the beginning and has His way as He wills. Too often when things aren’t going our way, we wonder if God is hearing our prayers, or working at all. Rather than worry and fret, we could change our perspective and remember to thank God for His sovereignty.

Dear God,

Thank you that even when I cannot see it, you are at work. Thank you that even though I don’t always feel it, you hear my prayer and know my need. Thank you for your sovereignty over my life and each step I take.

Amen.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/mbolina