Blog
“Give Thanks Always and for Everything”
Categories: Ephesians, Faith, Peace, Pray, Prayer, Praying, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trust
“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5.20, ESV)¹
______________________________
¹There are four things Paul wants us to do:
1. Give thanks always. Paul says elsewhere that we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5.17). This should be done in the morning, throughout the day, and at night. Oftentimes we go to God in prayer during the bad times. However, prayer should constantly be on our mind!
2. For everything. And when Paul says “everything” he really means it! Whether good or bad, we need to be thankful for a God that blesses us abundantly. While there may be times “when the going gets tough”, we still have things to be thankful for. Paul once spent time in prayer to God while sitting in prison (Acts 16.25). That is a pretty low position to be in and yet Paul praised God!
3. To God the Father. While there are several reasons why we pray to God our Father, one such reason is because He is the giver of all good gifts. James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…” (James 1.17). No wonder we are to be thankful!
4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord is the intercessor by which we approach our Father (Heb. 7.25, etc.). Paul taught, “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” (Col. 3.17, ESV).
If you’re interested in learning more about prayer and God’s blessings, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.
