[I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession]… and thanksgiving…
Summary: Giving thanks to God might seem like an odd addition to a list of different kinds of prayer, but on closer examination, we discover that it might be the most important kind of prayer.
Paul begins this thought with a list of prayer types. In our last meditation, we examined “petitions, prayers, [and] intercession…” But Paul doesn’t stop there. He continues with one more kind of prayer — thanksgiving.
Personally, I have always thought about prayer as asking for something from God. After all, God is God, and I am the one who is always stubbing my toe on my own shortcomings. I, not God, am the one who needs help. Even so, as a believer, I have to give God credit for a lot of things.
Perhaps that is why Paul adds “thanksgiving” to his list of prayer types.
Interestingly, the Greek word Paul uses for “thanksgiving” is “eucharistia” (Strong’s G2169).* If that word sounds familiar, it should. The Greek “eucharistia” is where we get our English word, eucharist.†
Strong’s Lexicon defines “eucharistia” as “gratitude,” and an active “grateful language” to God. This, of course, is exactly what Jesus models for us at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28).
Why is giving thanks an important part of prayer?
The answer may be in what it reveals about the condition of our hearts. Someone who never bothers to thank God for the good things he provides might just be taking those good things for granted.
Is that wise?
Or, is it better to have an “attitude of gratitude” when we come before our Father?
The answer to this question is found in Jesus’ summation of “all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40). Jesus points out that we are to love God above all else (Matthew 22:37). In essence, agapē love puts others above self. To love God as God loves us is to hold God in the highest esteem.
To take God’s gifts for granted is to position ourselves apart from God. To realize that God cares for us even though we don’t deserve his love is to recognize that God is above us — superior in every way.
Giving thanks to God acknowledges God’s superiority. It also guards our hearts against vanity (Proverbs 4:23). Being thankful is essential if we are truly humble before God.
Application: Count your blessings, and give thanks!
Food for Thought: There are a million things we can be thankful for. Which are important to you?
*”G2169 – eucharistia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 16 Mar, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2169/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
† If you haven’t heard the word before, it is used in formal church settings to describe what is commonly called “communion,” the sharing of bread and wine to celebrate the new covenant with God [Luke 22:17-20].
I remember a time when God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible seemed like a big mystery to me and so very far off. Not that I have the full measure now, but I can definitely testify that the mysteries of God live inside of me and not outside of me, and that they feel like home. So hard to describe in words, but it is a peaceful release of anxiety to have a relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. To know that He is there, not “out there,” but “in there” (and out there 🙂 ). And to know that God’s gift of grace is outside of my worthiness, and offered to me in abundance. Not so that I can sin, but so Christ can bring to fruition His defeat of sin within me.
Colossians 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
1 John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
Thank you, Chris!
I can relate to what you are saying. The Peace of God is very real and worth more than all the money in the world.
There are a million things we can be thankful for. Which are important to you?
Our God took the time to give thought to me, create me, in His perfect time called me out of this world , and today continues to walk with me as the source of every good thing in my life.
Romans 5:8, But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, I have been blessed in every single aspect of my life. Some things did not appear to be a blessing at first, but in time I thanked God for His wisdom. Today I am so very thankful for His faithfulness in my life as He has patiently walked with me, been the power to make me the person He knew I would be.
Ron,
Thank you!
One of the blessings I am thankful for is the stories you have shared here over the years. All of those stories reveal how God has worked in your life and how he wants to work in ours, too.
Very good devotion brother. Another reason to be thankful is that I have noticed it can change quickly alter my attitude for the better.
I like to meditate on the cross and the resurrection. That helps greatly when I am struggling in some way. So I am thankful for the cross and a risen Lord.
Thank you, Rich!
Yes — the cross and resurrection are powerful touch points for us who believe. We are blessed indeed!