NOT TOO LATE to GIVE GOD THANKS ... EVER

Each and every day, we need to prepare our hearts and attitudes with simple gratitude, no matter what the day holds or what we are facing or have been ... we can still say - "Lord, I give You thanks!"

[reminder: Sue Boldt shares "Morning Moment of Prayer" and has written "Thirty Days of Thanksgiving & Worship") if/when you find yourself unable to pray (and there are others available too]

[image credit: Sue Boldt]

I don't often interrupt a series, or a 30 day long challenge or journey, however the next blog post is NOT until November 20th; and so far not too many of you are adding prayers of THANKS; so as I read the following article by Holley Gerth, I was compelled to share it since it made me think of you (the ones not adding a prayer - at least here) (and perhaps you are praying and giving thanks, just not sharing - which is ok, because pray is between you & God) but maybe a daily prayer challenge online publicly is not to your liking or you are comparing, feeling inadequate or far from feeling gratitude right now because of life's circumstances - well, let me tell you that this is the perfect solution: to praise & give thanks to God - a simple quiet thanks is a start. 

I've been in that place of not thinking I could utter any prayer of thanks or praise because of this situation or that; in the midst of loss, grief, sorrow, suffering, endless circumstances ... and I still have some days like this but I am thankful that I have found giving thanks and praise just for 'one thing' opens my heart and the gates of heaven begins to pour back in & revive my aching spirit and heart - and we always have 'one thing', even if it's the same one: it's a new day and He gives us breath (I might add) & strength to face whatever this day holds and of course, if you know Jesus, then you know HE holds your future... and that's worth a bunch of thank you prayers of praise & thanks. Just say: I thank You Lord for this new day & that You hold me. I give You praise.

[image credit: Sue Boldt]

After reading this "7 Days of Preparing Our Hearts for Thanksgiving" by Holley ... that I received today in my Dayspring email, it was written back on November 7th, probably about the time when you, too were thinking that giving thanks really is a challenge to me because this year or right now __________ (fill in the blank). I'm hoping that Holley can encourage you to try this (for the next 7 days): 

"Let’s start giving thanks now so that we really are ready for Thanksgiving this year. What’s below is a quick and simple countdown that we can go through each day . .  1. November 18th – Who in your life are you thankful for? Think of at least one person. 2. November 19th – What is a memory that brings you joy? Look back and see God’s goodness in it all over again. 3. November 20th – How have you seen God answer your prayers this year? Pause and reflect on one “yes” you are living in now. 4. November 21st – When do you feel joy? Pay extra attention to one happy little moment in your day. 5. November 22nd – Where can you see God’s hand in your life?  Consider one way He is taking care of you. 6. November 23rd – Why did Jesus come for us? Revisit His extraordinary love. 7. November 24th – Give thanks for all of the above. "~Holley Gerth, Dayspring

Please follow the link to read Holley's words in its entirety!

... "We don’t have to feel guilty if thankfulness doesn’t come easily. God knows we’re human and He loves us that way. He’s the Giver of all good things — including the grace we need on the days when our attitude tries to compete with our gratitude."~ Holley Gerth

Of course, Dayspring has many more great articles, but I'd also like to call your attention to this one, if you missed it and still need encouragement:
"Begin Today with Thanksgiving"

"DON'T YOU KNOW IT'S TIME TO PRAISE (& THANK) THE LORD"
I know that sometimes some music will help, so let Maranatha Singers lead you into worship today.It's kind of a cheery song!
See you again to continue with our last 10 days on November 20th

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  3

(publishing days 21-30 on November 20th)

but for now

you can join us back here

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  2in our current one we still have a few moreTHANKStoGIVE

And a Happy Thanksgiving to Each of You!
{it's already next Thursday, followed by Advent starting already on that Sunday}
The seasons seem to be happening much faster (or is that just me?)

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge - 2

[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

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

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  1 (days 1-10)

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  2 (days 11-20) this one

T.H.A.N.K.S Prayer Prompt 30 Day Challenge -  3 (days 21-30)

[will publish on November 20th]