Thankful by Definition

Can you believe that the holiday season is upon us? What a year we’ve had! And as we approach the holidays I think it appropriate to pause and reflect. As we do I think one word would summarize my feelings – Thankful.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells us that the word thankful has 3 intents.

First, thankful means that we are conscious of benefit received. I think if we all just stop and think about it we can all be conscious of benefit received. With unemployment levels at historic proportion, I don’t know about you, but I am conscious of the many blessings in my life; I am conscious of the benefit of living in the greatest country known to man; and I am conscious of the benefit of the freedom to worship our great and glorious God. While I am at it, I am conscious of the benefit of a good church, family, friends and this Florida lifestyle.

Second, thankful means being expressive of thanks. So let me express my heartfelt thanks for all things; every breath, sight, smell, relationship (I guess you get the idea). 2 Corinthians 9:15 says; 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we just remained in a state of being thankful; expressing thanks in all things?

Third, thankful means being well-pleased and I have got to tell you I am well-pleased. I am extremely well-pleased when I reflect on all of life’s blessings. I am well-please when I think about all that Christ has done. There are so many negative influences in the world, but if we focus on what is really important in life shouldn’t we all be walking around in a state of being well-pleased. Not in a prideful, arrogant way, but in a humble and happy state of thankfulness. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us; 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

When you really stop and think about it, being thankful should be easy for each of us. So on Thanksgiving 2010, let’s end with a Thanksgiving Poem written by Ralph Waldo Emerson;

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

Grace and Peace!

Thanksgiving Prayer

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

We humbly come before you praising you and all your glory; praising you for your grace and mercy; praising you for your love. Father, forgive us our debts and help each of us to forgive our debtors. Lord, this Thanksgiving I am reminded of Psalm 30 where we hear; 11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

So Father, this day we stop and say thank you, thank you forever! Thank you for all things; every precious breath, every wonderful sight, every beautiful sound; and we thank you for the many blessings of life. Mostly we thank you for your Son, our Lord and Savior, our King, Jesus Christ. We thank you that by His work on the cross, our debt is paid and we can have a restored and glorious relationship with you for all of eternity!

Oh God, how good and gracious you are! And as we thank you for all blessings, we still recognize true need. This day we pray for the homeless, the poor, the hungry, those with health issues and those struggling in these trying times that you would comfort, heal and provide. We pray for our men and women in the Military and especially those overseas away from friends and family during the holidays that you would protect, encourage and help them to feel loved. We pray for this nation and our leaders that you will work mightily granting wisdom and direction that would be pleasing and glorifying to you. We pray for your Church that it will be strengthened and encouraged with the unity that comes from loving you. We pray for families and family values; that you would protect and solidify the very concept of family and align family values according to your will. We pray for our children that you will touch their hearts helping them to stand firm in these trying times. And we pray for all Christians, Christians facing trials, temptations, uncertainty, praying as the words of King Hezekiah remind us; "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. Father, no matter our circumstance, help us to be strong and courageous as there truly is a greater power with us.

Finally, we pray that you would open our heart and minds to the glorious power of your word, praying as Paul prayed in Philippians; "that our love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to discern what is best and that we may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, that we may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the Glory and praise of God."

Father God, we love you and pray these many things in the most holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Grace and Peace!