“Praise, Worship, Thankfulness and Prayer – Thanksgiving 2024”
I am so very thankful that Almighty God has granted us another year to serve Him, and to be His hands and feet here on the earth until Jesus returns! For God’s Glory Alone Ministries (“FGGAM”) wishes everyone who reads this a joyous and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday. We give God all the glory because He alone is worthy and deserving of our worship!
As we pray over our meals, family and guests this week, let’s remember to thank God for His blessings upon our nation. From the landing of the Pilgrims, to the signers of the Declaration of Independence, to the leadership of our founding fathers, and to the many Americans who fought our battles (some giving the ultimate sacrifice), we thank God for sustaining America’s liberty and religious freedoms – as a nation founded upon Christian beliefs and principles.
The opening paragraph of President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 states that:
“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
My brothers and sisters, we have so very much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day! As the name of the holiday suggests, let’s give God all the praise, honor and glory this day – with GREAT THANKFULNESS!
Our trust and thankfulness in God should never be dependent upon our worldly circumstances, but rather, His love, mercy, grace, goodness and faithfulness. I’ve chosen this morning to set my attention on the Holy One!
Scripture tells us that it is good to be thankful for God’s blessing, protection, and most of all, the salvation we have through Christ Jesus! Our Lord is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Jesus. We know that Jesus is the only name given by which man can be saved. We know that Jesus willingly died on the cross, shedding his precious and redeeming blood so that you and I can be saved and live eternally in glory (heaven), in the very presence of Almighty God! Praise God!
Give Thanks To The Lord
The Bible is filled with scripture making it clear that our God is worthy of our praise and that we are to be exceedingly thankful as we pray, petition and worship Him! Here are some scriptures to consider, which clearly speak of God’s goodness and mercy in our lives:
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV)
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
Psalm 9:1 (Amplified Bible)
A Psalm of Thanksgiving for God’s Justice
“I will give thanks and praise the Lord, with all my heart; I will tell aloud all Your wonders and marvelous deeds.”
Psalm 97:12 (Amplified Bible)
“Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones [those whose moral and spiritual integrity places them in right standing with God], [a]nd praise and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.”
Psalm 107:1 (NKJV)
Thanksgiving to the Lord for His Great Works of Deliverance
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
Psalm 136:1 (NKJV)
Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
“…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Give Thanks To The Lord With Singing (Music)
The Bible is filled with scripture making it clear that as we pray, petition and worship our God, that it is good to show our thankfulness by singing and making music! Here are some scriptures to consider, which speak of God’s goodness and mercy in our lives, and the importance of worshiping Him in song:
2 Chronicles 20:20-21 (NKJV)
“So they [the Levites] rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘[h]ear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: [b]elieve in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.’ And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord [emphasis mine], and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: ‘[p]raise the Lord, [f]or His mercy endures forever.’”
Psalm 18:49 (Amplified Bible)
“Therefore will I give thanks and praise You, O Lord, among the nations, [a]nd sing praises to Your name.”
Psalm 30:4 (Amplified Bible)
“Sing to the Lord, O you His godly ones, [a]nd give thanks at the mention of His holy name.”
Psalm 30:12 (Amplified Bible)
“That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”
Psalm 57:9 (Amplified Bible)
“I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the people; I will sing praises to You among the nations.”
Psalm 92:1 (NKJV)
Praise to the Lord for His Love and Faithfulness
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, [a]nd to sing praises to Your name, O Most High…”.
Colossians 3:16 (Amplified Bible)
“Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
More Reasons To Be Exceedingly Thankful
The Bible (Prophet Jeremiah) reminds us how very much our Creator loves us, as we were made in the image and likeness of God, and that God knew us before we were ever formed in our mothers’ wombs, and that God planned for us to have a peaceful life filled with hope (in Christ), and that the Father will hear us when we pray:
Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NKJV)
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
The Bible reminds us that even in times of need, turmoil, sickness or unrest, the suffering we endure in this present life, although sometimes painful, is not worth comparing to the glory of knowing the Lord and the salvation we have in Him! No matter our current circumstances, those who name Jesus as Lord have the hope (read: absolute assurance) of heaven, with a glorified body, and eternal life in the very presence of God Almighty:
Romans 8:18-21 (ESV)
Future Glory
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of [H]im who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
The Bible reminds us of the privilege we have as children of God! When we are anxious, fearful or in need, scripture tells us that by praying to our heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name, we have the assurance that God hears our requests – but we are to always remember to pray with THANKSGIVING in our hearts:
Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”.
Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving…”.
A Thanksgiving Day Prayer
Father, we come before You this Thanksgiving Day, with great thankfulness in our hearts. We thank You for Your love, mercy and grace in our lives. We declare that You are always faithful. You are always just. You are always loving. We know that we have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and that we would be lost unto perdition were it not for the incredible love and sacrifice of our Savior, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the blood of Jesus! Thank You for saving our very souls! Father, help us to see others this day – and from now on – as You see us, as children created in Your image and likeness, who through believing on the name of Jesus, would be called the children of God! Give us the wisdom, strength and discernment to love others better, to know and walk in the truth every day, and to be Your hands and feet on the earth until the day of Jesus’ return. No matter our worldly circumstances, we place our trust in You – and You alone. Father, we give You all the praise, all the honor, and all the glory, for You alone are worthy! Lord, have Your way in our lives! We pray today, in the name of Jesus!
