[This is the 2nd blog post in my series: T.H.A.N.K.S. ...]
Continuing with
Days 11-20
Psalms 107:8-9
T - Thank God for one thing (given)
H - Hymn for Him/Song Psalms of Praise
A - Adore Him an Attribute of God
N - Name of God (El Shaddai, God Almighty)
K - Kind Act to do
S - Supplication: how He can or has supplied |
[Box acronym explained a bit in previous post but]
For today's blog post, I'm hoping to explain more of my acronym. Since the "T" is self- explanatory (because I give one for each day or you can certainly choose one thing of your own), let's start with "H" for a Hymn for Him ... starting out with just a few Hymns and then sharing some links for more. If a Hymn doesn't sound familiar or come to you as you meet with God, then maybe a Song will, but that's also why I opened this up to Psalms of Praise (which means from the book of Psalms in the Bible). As we take time to thank God, it's a way to come into His Presence and honor Him with worship; it's a form of thanks to sing or recite from our hearts or His Word and pray the words back to Him. There is a Hebrew word that includes Thanksgiving Hymns and other names that refer to "thanks" or "thanksgiving" - it's Hodayot.
Lifeway Worship has an album "Top 20 Hymns of Thanksgiving" (available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, etc.) which pretty much covers the ones I know best and seem to be the most familiar. Here are a few:
"Great is Thy Faithfulness"
"All Creatures of our God and King"
"Now Thank We All Our God"
"I Stand Amazed" (How Wonderful)
"We Gather Together"
I'm sure that this helps you start thinking of many hymns/songs; but if not, here are the promised links and of course, there are plenty :
100 Praise Hymns for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving and Thankfulness (in the Cyber Hymnal)
10 Amazing Hymns(GodTube)
30 Thanksgiving Worship Songs ...
{this would give you one for each of these 30 days of T.H.A.N.K.S and we already did 10 days, so you have plenty to choose}
PSALMS: Included in each day are Scripture(s) verses - many of them are from Psalms. So here is a short list of some powerful thanksgiving praise: Psalm 7:17; Psalm 9:1; Psalm 35:18; Psalm 106:1; Psalm 100:4; Psalm 95:2; and Psalm 107: 8-9 in the image on top.
"A" for the Attributes of God is to let Him know that you are aware of them in Him and how much you Adore Him because of His ... Faithfulness, Holiness, Greatness, Merciful, Just, Unchangeable, Eternal, Wise, Powerful, etc. (many of these are in the Hymns and Songs). In fact A.W. Tozer wrote a book "The Attributes of God"(which is what you get first in a search). I really like this image. Yet as I read through these 17 more carefully, it left me with some questions, even though I know these are characteristics of God, I'm sure there are more.
Perhaps this image will inspire you and you might have some questions too.
"N" stands for choosing one of the many Names that refer to our One God. There are many songs about these also and it just helps to Thank God that HE IS who His Name says He is - like "Jireh"; or the one I gave in the acronym "El Shaddai"; or "Adonai"; "Jehovah Nissi"; "... Shalom" - there are many resources available, even a Bible "Names of God", where the Name is expanded from Yahweh or Jehovah or Lord, God Almighty to an even more specific one.
Here is a good link to help you with both the Names & Attributes: Navigators "Praying the Names and Attributes of God" ... I suggest trying this because it has helped me focus and feel closer to God and truthfully allows me to worship Him with a heart filled much more in gratitude to recognize God as GOD - Father, Son and Holy Spirit through all these many facts, shows me how I truly can trust and believe that He's not only in control, but He's got all this covered & I just really need to thank Him for the Immensity of His aMazing capacities and ways, far beyond my own and even what I might imagine. How can this not increase your awe and respect as you realize and acknowledge by giving Him THANKS!?
I hope that the last two letters ("K" and "S") are not overlooked because this is where you choose to decide how to go beyond yourself and apply with acting in KINDness and asking for God to supply your needs but also the needs of others. I think this just comes naturally from spending time with God and is simple enough to understand without me giving examples. It's letting God know that you intend to show your thankfulness in a tangible way.
I thought it was important for me to explain this acronym format so that the rest of the 20 days of the 30 are possibly more fruitful and challenging by trying this out as an encouragement in your Prayers of Thanks and expanding your communication with God (which is all our prayers really are) but don't forget the listening part or the "pause" throughout your day when God will speak or maybe prompt you with "here's a good time to practice that "K" and show the same Kindness to someone else who needs to be blessed through you" from God. I need this too.
I strongly recommend that if you need more examples of using this Prayer Prompt Acronym that you return to the comments of the first blog post for Days 1-10 from KT (Anonymous) only because Blogger does not allow her to post otherwise; and I have no idea why or how to fix it. Anyways, KT faithfully participated by sharing every single day with the most beautiful prayers which flow from her precious spirit and heart following this T.H.A.N.K.S acronym in each one. I do hope that you go back & pray these (or check 'em out at least) so that her prayers may help you like each one helped me & truly blessed me daily! Great examples that showed me that my acronym does work! So thank you KT, hopefully this encourages others to participate & give this a try too! There is not any set formula to give thanks to God, He just wants to hear from you and this tool of an acronym is only to help you focus on God first in your prayers because He is so worthy & deserving of our thanks for each 'one thing' given & so much more!
NOVEMBER 11 - 20
Day 11 Thank God for Your Future.
Jeremiah 29:11, John 10:10, Romans 8:28 |
Father Almighty, You are Omnipotent, all -powerful! You are Omniscient - all knowing and Omnipresent - all present. Thank You for being available everywhere and at all times. There's a quote currently used that says "I may not know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future." How we thank You for the truth in this and that You do hold our future. Thank You for always working, even when our present circumstances seem hard yet we need to trust that You will work things for our good now and in the uncertainty of the future. Thank You for preparing us for great things to come. I ask for more patience and increase faith when doubt or hopelessness creeps in. I thank You for Your unseen hand. May I give the same encouraging words to someone else facing difficulties. I give You praise with the words of Psalm 121:1-8 and Psalm 18:2 while I sing of Your Strength and trust You as the "Way Maker"! Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come—remind us that You are the Lord of past, present and future, and help us to turn all of those over to You. Thank You that our future is in Your hands and that I can be confident in this assurance.
Day 12 Thank God for Prayer.
Psalm 34:15-18, Philippians 4:6, Matthew 7:7-8, Romans 8:26-27
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Day 13 Thank God for His Provision.
Philippians 4:19, Matthew 19:26, Psalm 34:10, Matthew 6:25-26 |
Day 14 Thank God for Our Gifts.
1 Peter 4:10, 1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 14:26 |
Day 15 Thank God for Forgiveness.
Matthew 6:15, Luke 17:4, Acts 2:38 |
Day 16 Thank God for Children.
Psalm 34:11, Luke 18:15-17, John 1:12, Ephesians 1:5 |
Day 17 Thank God for Your (True) Identity.
John 15:15, Romans 3:22-25, Romans 8:35-37 |
Day 18 Thank God for the Bible.
Psalm 18:30, Psalm 33:4, Psalm 130:5, John 1:1 |
Day 19 Thank God for His Peace.
Isaiah 54:10, John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7 |
Day 20 Thank God for Your Freedom.
Romans 6:6, Romans 8:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 5:17, James 4:7 |
[will publish on November 20th]
