Philippians 4:6(KJV)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
From Scriptures, we discover that one of the wonders of thanksgiving is the release of our inheritances. It is the covenant requirement for answered prayers. That is, every prayer that must be answered must be accompanied with thanksgiving. In other words, for our calls to go through to God, it must be connected with thanksgiving. The Apostle Paul enjoins us not to worry about anything but instead pray and let our petitions and thanksgiving shape our worries letting God know our needs. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he actually says this is the will of God for us. This is because we can praise and thank our way out of any frustration, stagnation and unpleasant situations in our lives.
As children of God, it is just as important to thank our way through each day. The more thankful we become, the more aware we are of God’s blessings in our lives. Every new level of miracles we experience are reasons to thank God. But the question is, can we thank God before we see the big breakthroughs we long for? Can we use our faith to believe He will move in our lives and be grateful for that? It is written in John 11:41 “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me”. During the ministry of Jesus on earth, He prayed on several occasions, but mostly in gratitude to the Father. When He was to raise Lazarus from the dead He did not complain or beg, He gave thanks to the Father and the miracle happened. In other words, thanksgiving brings back alive anything dead in our lives. The Bible says in John 6:11, “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would”. Notice what Jesus did that resulted in the miracle, He gave thanks! Hallelujah! Colossians 2:7 says “Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.”
Beloved, cultivate the lifestyle of thanksgiving. Don’t wait to praise and thank God after you have the victory, decide to thank Him in advance. When you think there’s something you require or need in life, give thanks to God for it and the miracle will happen. No matter the prevailing situation it will be conquered on the platter of thanksgiving. It is only men of gratitude that scale altitudes and become people of impact. When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and thank the Lord until the miracle is complete. Instead of crying and complaining, give thanks to God because you know He has a plan for your life that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your thanksgiving will stop the enemy and move the hand of God. Those who understand the language of thanksgiving, never struggle to be blessed. Refuse to live a life of thanklessness. This is because, anytime the devil wants to fight your blessings, he causes you to murmur and find faults with God. Don’t stop thanking God for your prison door is about to open. God has more in store for you than you ever imagined, so continue in thanksgiving. Remember, anything can happen when you give God thanks.
O Lord, I am thankful to You for all things and in all situations, I am forever grateful in Jesus’ Name!