The Giving of Thanks
The Bible uses thanksgiving in numerous contexts; nevertheless, today, I will focus on it in terms of praying, namely, the prayer of thanksgiving.
You may be asking, are there types of prayers in the Holy Bible? Then, click that link and satisfy your curiosity.
Or as Apostle Paul calls it, the giving of thanks!
What does it consist of and how is it administered? Is it different from other prayers?
What Is a Prayer of Thanksgiving?
It is a simple prayer. It has one focus. It’s to thank and praise the omnipotent name of the Lord for something that He has done for you.
However, a Believer who has faith in the Lord God could also offer a prayer of thanksgiving before the Lord has done anything for him or her.
I love to do this! I often give God praise and thanks for something I had requested even before I received it!
Who Makes a Prayer of Thanksgiving And When?
The Apostle Paul encourages young Pastor Timothy to make four types of prayers “for all men” and one of those is the prayer of thanksgiving.
Listen to Paul, as he explains to his young protege.
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men,” 1 Timothy 2:1.
Therefore, all Christians have an obligation to offer the prayer of thanksgiving for everyone they pray for!
Consequently, it should be one of the prayers we make daily for everyone.
Here Is an Example of a Prayer of Thanksgiving in the Bible
Do you recall the narrative involving Hannah? She was barren and couldn’t have children.
But she wanted a son. So, she petitioned the Lord God for one.
As a result, one year while on her yearly visit to the temple to have her sins remitted, she made a petition to God.
She requested a baby boy but with a vow. The Lord granted her request.
Then, in her happiness, to demonstrate her gratitude to the Lord God she offered a prayer of thanksgiving to Him.
Hannah’s Prayer of Giving of Thanks!
“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation,” 1 Samuel 2:1.
“There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God,” 1 Samuel 2:2.
“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed,” 1 Samuel 2:3.
“The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength,” 1 Samuel 1:4.
“They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble,” 1 Samuel 1:5.
“The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up,” 1 Samuel 1:6.
“The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up” 1 Samuel 1:7.
In This Prayer She Heaps On Praises on The Lord!
“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them,” 1 Samuel 1:8.
“He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail,” 1 Samuel 1:9.
“The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed,” 1 Samuel 1:10.
The focus of her entire prayer was not on herself but on the Lord God.
In it, she continually praised and worshipped His goodness and power.
She expressed her gratitude to God because He gave her Samuel and six other children, 1 Samuel 2:5.
Does The Format of a Prayer of Thanksgiving Change?
While “Hannah prayed”; however, the format for giving of thanks varies, 1 Samuel 2:1.
Moses and the Children of Israel sang their gratitude to God for overthrowing Pharaoh and his pursuing army in the Red Sea.
Subsequently, Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Moses, and the women of Israel sang, danced, and made music to register their gratitude to God for defeating Pharaoh and his army, Exodus 15:1-21.
They weren’t the only ones to express their giving of thanks in this manner.
The Ark of God had been gone from Israel and her king, David for too long.
He went to get it from the house of Obededom and returned it to the city of David with gladness.
But he was o happy that he did this:
“David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod,” 2 Samuel 6:14.
Then, later, as it entered the City of David, he “dropped-legs” again.
“And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart,” 2 Samuel 6:16.
Consequently, through the Book of Palms, he will encourage us to express gratitude to God artistically through singing and dancing and praising.
An example of expressing gratitude to God in this manner is Psalm 106.
And this is one of many!
Conclusion
A prayer of thanksgiving or the giving of thanks is an expression of gratitude to the Lord God.
There are several ways we could accomplish this. We could pray, sing, dance, and make music before God.
Christians indulge in thanksgiving for something that the Lord has done for them.
Sometimes we offer it in faith before the Lord does any work on our behalf.
Nevertheless, the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, encouraged a young Gentile preacher, Timothy, and us, to offer the giving of thanks for everyone regularly as we pray.
