THE POWER OF GRATITUDE: WHY THANKSGIVING TO GOD IS ESSENTIAL

Stephen N. Udofia
Introduction
“Thanksgiving” is a key disposition and an essential element to fulfilling our love towards
God. Thanksgiving is an attitude of gratitude. It is a virtue that must be developed and put
to good use constantly. Thanksgiving to God begins by our ability to appreciate one another
in the little things we do for ourselves. Anyone who is unable to appreciate the other for the
little kindness received, will not be able to appreciate God for the greater mercies he bestows
on us in our daily lives. Given this, it is important to develop an attitude of gratitude as a
necessary foundational component to fostering and further forming a constructive and mature
relationship with God. The more we thank God or appreciate others, the more our tank, will
be full. When you run alone, it is called RACE but when God runs with you, it is called
GRACE. And that is what thanksgiving does to us. It actuates the presence of God to run
with us and enable us to participate in the inner life of the trinity. Hence, “we are what we
repeatedly do, thanksgiving therefore is not an act, but a habit.” It is a habit that has to be
cultivated and inculcated in a person for the rest of one’s life. That is, overtime in a way and
manner that needs no much struggle.
Biblical Foundations of Thanksgiving
 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.)
 And on that day, you will say, "Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make
known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted."
Praise the LORD in song, for He has done glorious things; let this be known
throughout the earth. (Isaiah 12:4-5)
 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (Psalm
136:1)
What do we need to Thank God for?
 Our lives
 Our Jobs
 Our Health
 Family and friends
 Security
 Academics
 Our World
 The Gift of the Church
 The gift of Others
 Our Enemies, etc
What are the benefits of thanksgiving to God?
 Thanksgiving can strengthen your faith. By reminiscing about everything the
Lord has done for you, your faith grows more and more each time you give thanks.
 Thanking and praising God gives a person immense strength they could never dream
of, or ever imagine in this life.
 Thanksgiving makes you participate in the inner life of God.
 Gratitude glorifies God.
 Gratitude helps us encounter God.

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  Gratitude brings peace and Contentment
 Gratitude draws us to God, daily, nearly and clearly. 
 Gratitude guards against envy and other sins.
 Gratitude helps us grow in testimony and knowledge of God’s will
Are We Expected To Give Thanks To God In The Present Condition Of Our Country
And The World?
 The resounding answer to this question is YES. And the reason for this is contained in
the famous passage of St. James 1:2-4 which says says, "Consider it pure joy, my
brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of
your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may
be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
 Now, if we link this to the Story of JOB, then we can situate ourselves, our country,
our world today and all the hardships we face, as an opportunity to grow in faith,
perseverance and virtues.
 There is no situation in life that God is not involved. And sometimes, God allows
evil to befall us in order to turn us into stronger and better persons.
 The story of Job reminds us that we are called to praise and thank God for both the
flowers and the thorns; for both the rain and the rainbow; for both the valley and the
mountain; it is not for the weak of heart or for the weak of faith; it is for the man and
woman of God; growing in grace and maturity; walking with Christ down all the
paths of life; called to look past the momentary trials of this life to the glorious future
that exists because of the atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 Into every life, a little rain must fall, because it is in the rain that we find nourishment,
it is in the rain that we find faith, it is in the rain that we learn to trust in God and God
alone for salvation, it is in the rain that we learn to appreciate the sunshine all the
more.
 When all has been taken, on what will you stand? Job stood firmly on the promise
of God, and he trusted that, no matter what happened, God would stand with Him.
 In Job 13:15, Job exclaimed to his friends, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in
Him." Job praised God for both the flowers and the thorns, and God wants us to do
the same. He wants us to praise and thank Him, not only for His blessings, but also for
the trials that He allows to come into our lives to draw us close to Him and to shape
us into the people that He has called us to be.
 Remember the Story of the Children of Israel. They did not have it easy while leaving
Egypt. They had to face, the RED SEA, HUNGER, STRIFE, THE WALL OF
JERICHO and so on. But they trusted in the Lord, with Moses as their guide. Even
though they offended the lord at some point by being UNGRATEFUL, like we always
do, God did not abandon them, because they returned to God with a THANKFUL
heart and a JOYFUL-PENITENTIAL spirit. This is what is expected of us today in
our journey of life. Life is a JOURNEY OF GRATITUDE…
 Appreciate the little things of life and God will increase your coast and enlarge
your joy. If you cannot thank God for the little things you receive, how then will
you be able to thank him for the bigger things, when they come.
 Pride goes before a fall. Do not think that God is not aware of your reluctance to
thank him. Give God His due and fitting PRAISE, and be assured of also getting
your due and fitting PLACE.
Conclusion: Growing in the Habit/Virtue of Thanksgiving
As we leave here today and step back into the troubles and worries of life, I want to
encourage you to say a prayer of thanksgiving to God in the midst of whatever trials you may

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be going through, thank God for loving you enough to let the the trials come your way, thank
God for being there with you to lead you through them safely to the other side, and thank
God for the certainty of eternal life with Him in His Kingdom. We end this talk with a simple
prayer of thanksgiving by Kelli Mahoney, which I invite us to join in praying:

A Simple Prayer of Gratitude

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me
with more than I could ever have imagined. You have surrounded me with people who
always look out for me. You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with
kind words and actions. They lift me up in ways that keep my eyes focused on you and make
my spirit soar. Thank you, Lord, for keeping me safe. You protect me from those things that
seem to haunt others. You help me make better choices and provide me with advisors to help
me with life’s difficult decisions. You speak to me in so many ways so that I always know
you are here and there. Lord, I am so grateful for keeping those around me safe and loved
always. I hope that you provide me with the ability and sense to show them every day how
much they matter. I hope that you give me the ability to give to them the same kindness they
have provided to me. I am extremely grateful for all of your blessings in my life, Lord. I pray
that you remind me of just how blessed I am and that you never allow me to forget to show
my gratitude in prayer and returned acts of kindness. AMEN

END WITH THIS FAMOUS SONG Count your blessings

When upon life's billows Name them one by one
You are tempest tossed Count your many blessings
When you are discouraged See what God has done
Thinking all is lost
So, amid the conflict
Count your many blessings Whether great or small
Name them one by one Do not be disheartened
And it will surprise you God is over all
What the lord has done
Count your many blessings
Count your blessings Angels will attend
Name them one by one Help and comfort give you
Count your blessings To your journey's end
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Count your blessings Name them one by one
Name them one by one Count your blessings
Count your many blessings See what God has done
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Are you ever burdened Name them one by one
With a load of care? Count your many blessings
Does the cross seem heavy See what God has done
You are called to bear?
Count your blessings
Count your many blessings Name them one by one
Every doubt will fly Count your blessings
And you will keep singing See what God has done
As the days go by
Count your blessings
Count your blessings Name them one by one
Name them one by one Count your many blessings
Count your blessings See what God has done
See what God has done