Praying with Thanksgiving

Praying with Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

            I must confess that I have never thought much about praying with thanksgiving until I began to study this verse in Philippians.  Eucharistia (2169) which is translated thanksgiving in this verse has several shade of meaning.  Here is a list of meanings according to Strong’s Concordance: gratitude; actively grateful language to God, as an act of worship, thankfulness, giving of thanksgiving.  Probably most of us have come to our heavenly father in an attitude of complaint, fear, contrition, confession, anxiety or even sheer panic than we ever have in a spirit of thanksgiving.

            The Hebrew words in the phrase “careful for nothing” merimnao medeis (3309 3367) connote “not even one anxiety or having no anxiety”.  So, we are admonished to come to our heavenly Father without any fear or anxiety.  Rather, we are taught to pray with thanksgiving.  This concept of prayer attitude is in keeping with Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  Coming boldly certainly indicates trust, belief, and also thankfulness.  Take this day and try praying prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude to God.