My habit in the evening is to pray following the ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication) model. It is easy to think of ways to adore God, although that often gets mixed in with thanksgiving, but next is confession and I can’t say I enjoy confessing my transgressions for the day so I am delighted to get to the thanksgiving part. We are so blessed here in the United States that is easy to think of things for which to be thankful. Supplication is also easy because I always have concerns about friends and family but sometimes that turns to thanksgiving because someone has been healed. My point is that my prayers are often interrupted by moments of thanksgiving.
Someone asked me at church how I was and I said I was fine, but someone else joined the conversation and asked if I had awakened this morning. I countered with a yes and added that I had slept well. Two things to be thankful for right off the bat. Yes, I have the usual aches and pains but I am basically in good health. Yay God!
I have two sponsored children who, prior to World Vision’s intervention, were walking long distances to fetch water. I try to remember to thank God for the water coming out of the tap at any time of the day or night. That is just one of the many amenities we take for granted. I suspect there is enough in the freezer and pantry that we could eat for a few weeks. Most of our congregation could say the same. Much to be thankful for!
At Thanksgiving, I like to ask everyone to list one thing for which they are thankful. This brings out groans or rolled eyes, but they comply and its nice to hear. Everyone is doing well which I am very thankful for.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18