thankful to god essay

Essay on Being Thankful To God

Students are often asked to write an essay on Being Thankful To God in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Being Thankful To God

Understanding gratitude.

Being thankful to God means showing gratitude. It’s about expressing thanks for all the blessings we have. God gives us life, family, friends, and many other things. We should always say “thank you” to God for these gifts.

Showing Thankfulness

Showing thankfulness to God isn’t hard. We can do it in many ways. We can pray and thank God for our blessings. We can also be kind to others, as this is a way of thanking God.

The Benefits of Being Thankful

Being thankful to God has many benefits. It makes us feel happy and content. It also makes us more positive. When we’re thankful, we focus on the good things in life.

Thankfulness in Difficult Times

Even in tough times, we should be thankful to God. Hard times teach us important lessons. They make us stronger. So, we should thank God for these lessons too.

Teaching Thankfulness

We should teach kids to be thankful to God. They can learn this by saying prayers of thanks or by being kind to others. This will help them grow into grateful adults.

250 Words Essay on Being Thankful To God

Introduction.

Being thankful to God is a way of showing our gratitude for all the blessings we have in life. It’s about recognizing the good in our lives and appreciating it. We should be thankful to God not only for the big things but also for the small things that bring joy to our lives.

The Importance of Being Thankful

Being thankful to God is very important. It helps us to focus on the positive things in our lives. When we are thankful, we feel happy and content. It makes us realize how blessed we are. It also helps us to stay positive, even when things get tough.

Ways to Show Gratitude

There are many ways to show our thanks to God. We can pray and thank Him for all the good things in our lives. We can also show our gratitude by helping others. By being kind and helpful, we are showing our thankfulness to God.

Benefits of Being Thankful

Being thankful to God has many benefits. It helps us to feel more positive and happy. It also helps us to be more patient and understanding. When we are thankful, we are more likely to be kind and helpful to others.

In conclusion, being thankful to God is a very important part of our lives. It helps us to stay positive and happy. It also helps us to be kind and helpful to others. So, let’s always remember to be thankful to God for all the blessings in our lives.

500 Words Essay on Being Thankful To God

Being thankful to God is a simple yet powerful act. It means showing gratitude for all the blessings and lessons we receive from our Creator. It is a way of acknowledging that every good thing we have in life comes from Him. This essay will explore the importance of being thankful to God, the benefits it brings, and how we can express our gratitude.

The Importance of Being Thankful to God

Why should we be thankful to God? The answer is simple. God is the source of everything we have, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. He gives us life, health, family, friends, and countless other blessings. By being thankful to God, we recognize His love and care for us. It’s a way of saying, “I see what You have done for me, and I appreciate it.”

The Benefits of Being Thankful to God

When we are thankful to God, we become happier and more content. Gratitude helps us focus on the positive aspects of our lives, instead of dwelling on the negative. It fills our hearts with joy and peace, making us feel more connected to God. It also brings us closer to other people, as we share our gratitude with them.

In addition, being thankful to God can make us stronger in times of trouble. When we face challenges, remembering God’s past blessings can give us hope and courage. It reminds us that God is always with us, ready to help and guide us.

Ways to Express Gratitude to God

There are many ways to show our thanks to God. One of the most common is through prayer. In our prayers, we can thank God for His love, mercy, and blessings. We can also thank Him for the lessons we learn from our challenges.

Another way to express gratitude is through our actions. We can show our thanks to God by helping others, being kind, and doing good deeds. This is a way of sharing God’s blessings with the world.

Finally, we can show our gratitude to God by living a good life. This means following God’s teachings, being honest, loving, and forgiving. By living this way, we honor God and show our appreciation for His blessings.

In conclusion, being thankful to God is an important part of our lives. It helps us recognize God’s love, brings us joy and strength, and allows us to share our blessings with others. By expressing our gratitude through prayer, good deeds, and a good life, we can show our appreciation for all that God has given us. Let’s make it a habit to thank God every day for His endless love and blessings.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Being True To Yourself
• Essay on Being Treated Unfairly
• Essay on Being The Youngest Child In The Family

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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What 7 Key Things Does the Bible Teach About Gratitude?

There are some days where life may genuinely seem to suck – from start to finish – literally. 

In fact, sometimes we even go through seasons of hard times, during which expressing gratitude is the absolute last thing on our minds.  In fact, we may even ask ourselves questions like:

• How can I be grateful at a time like this?
• Why is being grateful important?
• What are the benefits of being grateful?

God has recently been teaching me to be grateful simply for His presence in my life.  Grateful because I know that because of the relationship I have with Him, I can go through some serious crap but still be more than okay.

Having an “attitude of gratitude” is very important.  However, it is a mindset, one that, like everything else, has to be developed over time.     Let’s dive in to see why it’s important to be grateful and the seven key t hings the bible teaches about gratitude.

This post may contain affiliate links.  You can read my full disclosure here .

What Does it Mean to Be Grateful?

Be grateful to god for who he is, be grateful to god for his provision and blessings, be grateful to god for others, express gratitude through prayer, express gratitude through praise, express gratitude through acts of service, show gratitude to god every day.

Being thankful and being grateful tend to go hand-in-hand.

The Webster’s dictionary defines them as follows:

• thankful  – being conscious of a benefit received; well pleased; glad
• grateful  – being appreciative of benefits received; expressing gratitude for pleasure or contentment

Today’s society is so fast-paced that people barely pause to utter a simple ‘thank you’ when you hold a door open, stop to let someone pass by, or even hand them something they accidentally dropped on the floor!  Even as Christians, we, too, get lazy when it comes to expressing gratitude.  

It’s sad because showing gratitude is actually good for our health.

According to Psychology Today , studies have linked gratitude with increased satisfaction, higher levels of motivation and energy, better sleep and health, and reduced stress and sadness.  Grateful people are supposedly much more engaged with their environment, leading to greater personal growth, self-acceptance, and stronger feelings of purpose.

So, what exactly does the bible say about being grateful, and how do we develop the mindset of gratefulness that God calls us to have?

What Does the Bible Say About Gratitude?

Developing a mindset that reflects an attitude of gratitude starts with a shift in our focus.

So many things compete for our attention and distract us by directing our focus to the negative aspects of life rather than the good. Our natural tendency is to complain about any and everything. But, complaining is the complete opposite of gratitude.

In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing.   Philippians 2:14 TLB

We can all find something to complain about if we look for it.  However, when we shift our focus, look at the positive things in life, and thank God regardless of what is going on around us, do you know how much our lives will begin to change for the better?

In light of who God is to us – our Lord, Savior, Creator, Redeemer, Protector, Provider, Healer, Shepherd, and Heavenly Father – being grateful to Him should go without saying.

The problem I often see is that we allow our situations and circumstances to dictate if we are grateful or the level of our gratefulness.  But the Word of God teaches us otherwise:

• Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.   (Psalm 118:29 NIV)
• I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 7:17 NIV)
• Now, our God, we give you  thanks, and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:13 NIV)

We should give God thanks because He is God—period! We should never confuse or downplay God’s goodness based on our circumstances or how we’re feeling. 

In addition to being grateful to God for who He is, we should be thankful for the blessings He bestows upon us daily.

We must train our minds to remember that every day of life is God’s gift to us. 

For in him we live and move, and have our being.  As some of your own poets have said, ‘we are his offspring.’ Acts 17:28 NIV

If nothing else is evident, the love of God alone should always be a point of focus and something we appreciate with a grateful heart:

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.   Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

In love, God chose me before I was even born and destined me for a purpose.  I’m grateful for His presence and the fact that His Word says He will never leave me.  I’m grateful that He watches over me, protects me, comforts me, and guides me.  I’m grateful that He listens when I talk to Him and that He cares about me so much!

We must also be grateful to God for his everyday provision—shelter, food, clothing, running water, electricity, transportation, finances, etc.

One thing I like to remind myself of is that God will always provide, even if it’s in a different way than I had in mind.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9 NIV

Ultimately, we must be grateful to God for EVERYTHING!

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 NIV

That includes the things that bring us joy and make us happy, as well as the things that tend to get overlooked. 

If I had to make a quick list, mine would include my salvation, my health, coffee, music, my favorite TV shows, hot showers, massages, red wine, sunrises, books, challenges that make me stronger, Netflix, and hoodies LOL.

The list of things to be grateful for and reasons to be thankful to God is endless. God’s blessings, provision, and love are evident all day, every day, in everything around us. We never have to look far to see the goodness of God in our lives. 

God places so many people in our lives as resources of encouragement, humor, love, motivation, knowledge, patience, service, support, fun, and entertainment.  We have to remember to express gratitude for them as well.

In the Apostle Paul’s letters to the various churches, he displayed a great attitude of thankfulness for the people of God.  Here are a few bible verses that express his thankful heart:

• We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV)
• They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. (Romans 16:4 NIV)
• I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. (1 Timothy 2:1 NIV)
• I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. (Ephesians 1:16 NIV)

We, too, should have a heart of thanksgiving for the people God has placed in our lives.

If you were to stop for a moment and go through the contact list on your phone and think about who makes you laugh the most, who is always there in cases of emergency, who always knows the right advice to give you, or who provides you with ongoing service, I’m sure you would come up with a ton of people for whom you are grateful.

Your expressions of gratitude can be received by anyone – your spouse, kids, siblings, parents, other family members, neighbors, friends, co-workers, your pastor, hairdresser, mailman, baseball coach, mechanic, or even your accountant.

The important thing to remember is to give thanks for all the blessings of God around us – and that includes the efforts of others.

How to Express Gratitude to God and Others

Having the attitude or mindset of gratitude is one thing, but expressing that gratefulness is quite another.  Let’s look specifically at how to be grateful.

One way to express gratitude to God is through prayer.  In fact, whenever we pray, we should approach God with thanksgiving.  He wants us to show our gratitude.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV

When was the last time you spent some time just thanking God without making any requests?  I challenge you to try it.  And if you have, do it more often!

Even when Daniel was facing being thrown into the lion’s den, he didn’t panic or start looking for his own solution.  He prayed and gave thanks to God per his usual custom:

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 NIV

For Daniel, an attitude of gratitude was a normal routine.  If we start to shift our focus in the midst of life’s toughest circumstances, our attitude can begin to change as well.   Gratitude can become our knee-jerk reaction, even in the midst of trials.

I once had a literal $1,000 situation in which I had to make a mindset choice. I could either complain and be frustrated all day about depleting my savings for unexpected car repairs, or I could be grateful to God that I had the $1,000 in my savings to take care of the emergency in the first place. It’s all about perspective.

Another way to express gratitude is by praying for the people you appreciate in your life. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for people is to pray for them earnestly.

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 NIV

So often, when people share their issues or problems with us, we tell them, ‘I’ll pray for you.’  Sometimes, we do remember to pray for them, but sometimes, we also forget.  One of the things I’ve been challenging myself with lately is taking a few minutes to stop right there and pray with the person.  Gestures like that are surprising, and they go a long way with people because they know you genuinely care.

When we take time to pray for others regularly, it humbles us, and it reflects a heart of gratitude.

Praise is one of the most prevalent expressions of gratitude mentioned in the bible.  Depending on what version of the bible you’re reading, the word praise is used more than 300 times!

Praise is the warm expression of approval or admiration for someone or something.

So, how exactly do we praise God?  Well, the good news is, that praise doesn’t have to look a certain way, and you don’t have to be in church or a religious setting to express it:

• In the fourth year the entire crop must be consecrated to the Lord as a celebration of praise.  (Leviticus 19:24 NLT)
• Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:6 NIV)
• Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:1-2 NIV)
• Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4 NIV)
• Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. (Psalm 105:1-3 NIV)
• Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. (Jeremiah 20:13 NIV)
• And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.  So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns. (2 Samuel 6:14-15 NLT)
• When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. (Luke 19:37 NIV)
• Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3 NIV)
• Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. (Hebrews 13:15 NIV)

As you can see, we can praise God through words, singing, music, shouts of joy, declarations of His goodness, lifting up our hands in reverence, bowing down in worship, dancing, and even full-blown celebrations!

You can praise God when you’re alone or with others. You can praise Him while driving in your car, taking a walk, doing chores, exercising, or taking a shower. You can praise God anytime and anywhere! Whether it’s songs of praise or a joyful noise, regardless of when or how you do it, as Christians, we are all called to praise God!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6 NIV

And because God has called us to be grateful to Him for others, we are to praise them accordingly as well:

• Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.   (Proverbs 31:28 NIV) 
• I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2 NIV)
• For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. (2 Corinthians 8:17-19 NIV)
• Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

Whether it’s telling your spouse or a parent how much you love and appreciate them, thanking a co-worker for their assistance on a project, or encouraging a friend who is going through a tough time the same way they encouraged you, or congratulating and praising a child for chores well done, our warm expressions of praise towards them can make all the difference in the world.

Another way to express gratitude to God is through acts of service.

We serve God by being obedient to what He has called us to do in His Word.  And in His Word, He has called us to use our gifts to serve others, be generous, help those in need, and work at everything as if working for Him directly.  Doing this reflects a heart of gratitude.

• Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. (Psalm 82:3 NIV)
• The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:29-30 NIV)
• Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-5 NIV)
• You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11-12 NIV)
• Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV)
• This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.   (1 John 3:16-18 NIV)

Just like with praise, acts of service can be done anywhere and in various ways!

They can come in the form of an encouraging phone call to a relative you don’t often see, complimenting a waitress at a restaurant and leaving them a huge tip, getting a thank you card for a mentor, posting something positive about a friend on social media, volunteering at a shelter, doing chores or laundry for someone who recently had surgery, offering to watch your neighbor’s dog while they are away on vacation, or taking an exhausted new mom out for lunch.  The list is endless!

The main thing is to do it willingly, with a heart of gratitude towards God and/or the person.

• Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT
• Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Being grateful often makes us willing to sacrifice time or money and go the extra mile, even when no one requires it.

Now that we better understand the meaning and importance of gratitude, what the Bible says about it, and how to be grateful to God and others, it’s time to put it all into practice.

As we have seen in Scripture, it is evident that being grateful and giving thanks is not just a seasonal thing to do on Thanksgiving Day.  We should be doing it every day, through all seasons of life. 

Did you know that giving thanks in all circumstances is actually God’s will for us?

• Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
• So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 NIV

Striving to make gratitude a discipline, something that we focus on and practice in a deliberate way, can change us and our relationships significantly!

So here are my top three strategies for enhancing gratitude daily that I dare you to try.

1. Pray for a Shift in Your Mindset  – People often say, ‘Things can’t get any worse.’  Well, I beg to differ because things could absolutely be worse than they are.  I guarantee you, at any given moment, someone, somewhere, is suffering or going through something far beyond what you are experiencing.  That’s not to downplay your pain, situation, or circumstances.  However, we must stop allowing the not-so-good things going on in our lives to overshadow the goodness of God.

Spend some time earnestly asking God to help you adopt an attitude of gratitude. By the way, the absolute BEST way to help shift your focus is to spend more time meditating on God’s Word.

2.   Count Your Blessings – one of my favorite hymn songs is  Count Your Blessings .  Part of the chorus says: “Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done!”  I promise you when you start to actually count your blessings, you will have very little time to complain and be stressed about all the crap going on in your life!

I just had one of the most emotionally challenging weeks that I’ve had in a long time, where I literally cried or had some sort of ‘meltdown moment’ every single day.  At the surface level, most would count this as a bad week.  However, when I looked back and reflected, I realized how many amazing things actually happened to me this week – including a major answer to prayer that I almost completely overlooked because I was so focused on the one bad situation that had affected me emotionally.

Every day, even if it’s only for a few minutes, take some time to praise God by literally naming out loud all the things you are grateful for.  You can even start a gratitude journal!

3.   Look for Ways to Practice Gratitude – Although this will look different for everyone, we must find ways to build a regular gratitude routine (daily, weekly, or monthly).  It can include things like visiting your parents more often, calling your pastors/ministers to tell them how much you appreciate their teaching, texting a friend to see if they need help with anything, or spending an uninterrupted day with your kids.

As Christians, it should be our natural response to be thankful people.  Therefore, we must be intentional about focusing on all the amazing things God is doing in our lives every day.

Remember, gratitude is not only something God says we should have towards him and others, but it is also good for us.  Don’t forget the power of gratitude and the physical benefits that we can reap (better mood, focus, sleep, etc.)  when we consistently pursue an attitude of gratitude.

So, let’s do ourselves a favor by walking in obedience to God’s Word and making it a priority each and every day to be more grateful—to God and to others.

Additional Resource:   Gratitude Coloring Book

RELATED POSTS:

• 45 Key Bible Verses About Remembering God Regularly
• What Does it Really Mean to Love God?
• 29 Key Bible Verses About Testimony Sharing and Reflection

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Demetra is a busy, self-employed, single mom who loves Jesus and is a fanatic about prioritizing her time with God!  She created In the Mirror of God to help other Christian women learn how regularly looking into our spiritual mirror (the Bible) equips us to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, think biblically about everything, conquer the challenges of everyday life, and truly enjoy life to the fullest, the way God intended.  Go here to learn more about her story, or visit her contact page to send a quick message.

Encourage someone else today by sharing:

I am happy to see and reread this. I am grateful for all the things I have right now. I am also thankful for all that God has given to me!

This is so true! also, no matter what the circumstances are, we can be content if we continuously follow the instructions of the Lord.

Everything we do, we should be thankful to God. Not all blessings are positive, sometimes it is negative in order to protect you of something. It is really good to be grateful everyday, every moment of our lives. Thank you.

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The power of gratitude: 12 benefits of giving god thanks.

shared by Lisa Appelo | 94 Comments

Most of us know thanksgiving is a good practice. But do we know just how good?  The Bible shows the great power of gratitude. 

While practicing daily thankfulness may seem like another chore, I hope to convince you the power of gratitude far outweighs the few minutes it takes to practice it . There are so many reasons to intentionally cultivate gratitude! 

Let’s unpack the power of gratitude with these 12 benefits of giving God thanks. ( And go even deeper with this free 30-day Gratitude Bible Reading Plan .)

12 Benefits of Giving Thanks

1.gratitude glorifies god..

This alone would be reason to give thanks to God. Our gratitude glorifies God as we exalt not the gifts, but the Giver. Gratitude helps us realize all we have comes not because of us, but from God.

And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. 2 Corinthians 4:15

2. Gratitude helps us see God.

Gratitude opens our spiritual eyes. There’s a beautiful cycle in giving God thanks: the more we thank Him, the more we see Him working in us and around us. Gratitude helps us sense God’s presence, His personal care and His perfect timing.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:16-17

3. Gratitude puts us squarely in God’s will.

We often make God’s will out to be some big, mystical plan when sometimes, it’s simply obedience. And part of His will for us is to be thankful, not just on the sunny days but on the hard ones as well.

…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

4. Gratitude brings peace.

Count your blessings, not sheep we’re told to get rid of the worry keeping us up at night. Gratitude helps us see that God’s hand is all over our circumstances. And God tells us when we give him our thanks, He gives us supernatural peace.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

5. Gratitude draws us to God.

Gratitude for the magnitude of God’s undeserved kindness draws us to Him. We see that when Jesus healed 10 lepers. As Jesus walked by, all 10 cried out for healing. “Go, show yourselves to the priests,” Jesus commanded and as they went, they were healed! Fingers were restored and ulcers disappeared as full sensation returned to their faces and limbs. Certainly they were all happy, but only one was thankful. Only one came back to Jesus, fell as his feet and thanked him.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:17-19

6. Gratitude brings contentment.

It’s said that gratitude makes what we have enough. If we aren’t grateful for what God has given us, getting more won’t satisfy us either. Being thankful is the key to contentment.

. . . godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

7. Gratitude deepens faith.

Keeping a record of God’s past faithfulness is a faith boost when we face new difficulty. My gratitude journals are testimonies that on my hardest days and in the worst circumstances, God’s record of faithfulness is 100%. That’s why God commanded Israel to remember His great deeds.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

8. Gratitude leads to joy.

The overflow of gratitude is joy. Realizing God’s abundant goodness, even in the hard, is a gateway for joy. Psalms 126 shows this so clearly as the Hebrew exiles sang their thanks to God for bringing them back to Israel. It’s a psalm I prayed in advance for years.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:1-3

9. Gratitude defies Satan’s lies.

Satan is so wily! He whispers that God isn’t good; that He’s withholding good from us. But his scheme’s as old as the garden of Eden, where he questioned Eve: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” When Eve responded only the tree of good and evil was off-limits, Satan suggested God was keeping good from them. “You will not certainly die. . . For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

In a garden that was perfect, that produced abundantly without work or weeding, where every single plant but ONE had been given to Adam and Eve, Satan focused on the lack. True gratitude for God and the abundance He gives protects us from caving to the enemy’s lies.

No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

10. Gratitude guards against envy.

Envy makes us want what someone else has. I mean, we deserve it! Gratitude makes us realize God has given us far more than we deserve. Because there’s enough for everyone, we can cheer rather than compare. A heart wholly grateful has no room left for envy.

I will give You thanks with all my heart; Psalm 138:1

11. Gratitude helps us live in the present.

“Wherever you are, be all there!” Jim Elliot famously said. But that’s difficult to do in the worry and rush of life. Gratitude helps. Gratitude opens our eyes to the simple beauty of ordinary days. It lets us see this day and this moment as gifts and to take in the abundance right now.

Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. Ecclesiastes 7:10

12. Gratitude is a testimony.

When we thank God openly and acknowledge what He’s done for us, we proclaim a personal, caring God to the world around us. We show that contentment and peace come not from what we have but Who we know.

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Psalm 105:1

Developing a grateful heart brings incredible blessing. My only regret in keeping a daily gratitude list? Not starting it sooner.

Want to access the power of gratitude? Go deeper with this free 30-day Gratitude Bible Reading Plan.

Find your way through grief in my ECPA

best-selling book LIFE CAN BE GOOD AGAIN.

WOW!!! Reading this tonight was wonderful but printing it out to reflect and meditate on each scripture (spending more personal time on each one) brings me much Confidence, Confirmation & Joy in Knowing God continues His work in me through the good times and what sometimes seems to be the impossible times. Ohh how much He loves us! An attitude of GRATITUDE is worthy of our prayers for one another. Oh what blessings it brings!!!

So glad, Deborah! I loved studying it!

This is what all human beings deserved to read through……

I will praise Him ,give thanks to Him ,honor Him ..I know my God will never felt me so Help me God of Almighty 🙏

I am to subscribe to your website, this study came at the right time for me, to tell you how much I love you this I am awake at about 12:05 I couldn’t sleep because of worries but reading this email has changed my mind . Thank you so much man.

The gratitude list .help me remember all the good things have happen and be thankful to god and don’t think about the negativity of things

May I subscribe to your website?

Yes, you can subscribe at this link. Email signup.

I hope it’s ok to share this lesson in our jail ministry. I will definitely give credit and share your web site. Thank you for all you’ve done to pull this together.

Yes, please feel free to share it. Thank you for your ministry.

I enjoyed reading and studying this its wonderful,I will share this in fellowship tomorrow

Thanks for the words of advice.

Thanks so much for this powerful message

Thank you for bringing a word in season. Looking forward to receiving your plan

I pray the gratitude Bible reading plan blesses you, Linda!

Good cultivation. This idea of showing gratitude. That’s the calmness of God, when in fury to foes…

Gratitude should be our breath

Lisa, I “stumbled” aross your blog after reading an article you had on crosswalk.com, and I am very impressed with your writings and wisdom which God has supplied through your trials. I intend to share this with my wife in as much as we have experienced a great loss 12 years ago in our lives with an estranged daughter from a very controlled marriage. (Grief, as you know, comes in many forms) Thank you for taking the time and energy to minister in this way, and may our great God continue blessing your words and ministry!

I’m so sorry for your loss. Yes, grief comes in many forms and though the wounds are deep, God’s love is always deeper.

Good day Thank you very much for encouraging words of wisdom. Perfect reminder of who we are on Christ; we are his beloved. Gratitude gratitude; all the way; brings us closer toour Creator.Thank you very much…. keep up the good job amd stay blessed.

Hi Lisa thank you so much , I enjoyed reading this piece. Please would you allow me to publish it in my church weekly bulletin so many more people can read? Thanks

Hi Charles! I’ll email you.

Thank you for those points of yours concerning the benefits of thanksgiving to God. Is a great one. Almighty God will continually sustain you to do more and we shall all inherit his kingdom in Jesus name.

Good morning beloved. Yesterday I experienced the power of God by showing me what I have versus to what others don’t have. He reminded me that all I so is ask ask and ask, take take and take and forget to properly give him thanks for all provision. After all, His name is Jehovah Jaireh, the Lord who provides and this experience has led me to your website as I was searching for the power of gratitude. Thank you so much for documenting it so well, so clear and so easy to follow. Remain blessed until the world call you BLESSED

I fill happy when reading I’m well please

Thank you for this. It came at the right time.

Thanks Lisa

Thank you my beloved Lisa for this soul refreshing teaching. It will uphold the proud, and will stir him or her to do the right thing

I really love reading this is so inspirational to me.

Satisfactory

I cannot thank God and your ministry enough for this timely message. I have been blessed in no small measure. God bless you richly as you continue to speak His Mind to generations in Jesus name.

Am indeed very thankful for this article, quite a great lesson I’ve learnt on being grateful to God, God bless you so much and may He give you more Grace and Revelation to continue enlightening the body of Christ with the living word.

This is just amazing. Thank you Lisa!!

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah what a wonderful sermon, I will let my congrigation hear it too, thanks alot

I read each one including the scriptures and, thoroughly enjoyed doing so.. This helps me with my walk with God. Thank you very much, may God continue to bless you.

Please correct this typo, please change 1 Corinthians 4:15 to 2 Corinthians 4:15 at the end of Gratitude Glorifies God.

I appreciate that catch, Laura, and made that change!

I want to thank you for the power of gratitude 12-step list it really inspired me is very inspirational and it helped me with some of the problems that I’m going through thank you

Thank you for allowing God to use you in bringing this message am blessed. Giving thanks to God and knowing He is in our lives is all that matters. Thank you ones again

This is wonderful. Lord I’m grateful to know more of the benefits of being thankful. Thanks you Lord for each day good or ‘bad’. God bless you for this teaching. Am I blessed!

Thanks for this. May I share with my Brethren in Church on Sunday?

Yes! Gratitude is life-changing.

I am so bless by studying This wonderful writing may the Lord bless and increase your ministry.

Am grateful for the opportunity to read it and I will do it again.thanks and May the Almighty bless you.

Very enlightening and encouraging regarding us being thankful!

I’m blessed

I’m blessed with the message and I felt the obligation to share it to others so they too, will be blessed. Thank you so much!

MY DEAR LISA.WORDS ALONE CANT THANK YOU ENOUGH,INFACT AM SHOT OF THEM,only GOD in heaven who sits on the throne of grace would reword you for this life changing ministration.my i call for grace upon you and your ministry to go keep going deeper and as far as spreading the light throughout the entire univers.thankyou lisa,am not only blessed but also challenged as the eyes of my heart got open to see who i was and how releaved i am.thankyou,i appretiate GOD bless you LISA.

What an inspiration

Wow tjis is siriually uplifting. I googled words about how to be grateful to God and this came up. Thank you so much Lisa. I have even highlited the verses on my bible and wrote gratitude how amazing is this!!!! Im going to bed now my two little persons have long been sleeping, so let me catch up whilst l can. So grateful for the find and the read l found.

Going through your sermon was mind blowing and very inspiring .I thank God for your life because a lot ungrateful heart has been replaced with heart of gratitude. I was really blessed. Funny enough my first daughter name is also Lisa. I want us to become family friend so that one day my daughter can talk to you. God bless you richly and enlarge your ministry in Jesus mighty Name

Great revelation, i will share with the church of GOD.feel blessed.

I am so bless with this sermon as it’s open my eyes to what I stand to gain if I appreciates God in all things.

This is wonderful, I was reading and everything is clear to me now. I think most of us are not giving God gratitude enough. We complain and grumble over everything because it’s not working out for us in our ways. I pray that this piece will give people the assurance God gives us when we thank him. I’m blessed with this writing, God bless you Lisa, your family and your ministry .

Thank You Ms. Appelo. Finding, reading and studying your message is a wonderful gift which I will indeed be sharing. Thank You and God bless You!

Praise to be God. I have inspired alot..may God bless you

God has blessed you Lissa. The word of God you have given me today has substance. It means so much to me as I am strengthen to work with it. Continue in the good work of revelation until Christ comes or calls.

Powerful word..God bless you

Just read the 12 msg on gratitude, it had really help me this night of 10/4/2021. I appreciate.cha

I have read the 12 benefits of giving God Thanx(gratitude) and feel so grateful for these.I love all of them.and am going to share them in my fellowship since it’s about giving thanx to God for what He has done for us.God bless you so much

Thanks for article, it really a good thing to give thanks to the Lord

Love this. Shared it with my prayer group. They loved it. Thanks and may God bless you

Good work in remaining us why we need to give thanks to God.

Praise and Thanks God Blessed Day Ma’am Lisa. I’m really blessed by reading this. I will share this to our devotion tomorrow. Thanks and Godbless 😇

Gratitude do a fabulous job of connecting with your friends and family. They carry the innermost sentiments of your heart and communicate them in the most beautiful manner that touches their soul. loved your article

Amazing points on gratitude.its a week of gratitude/ thanks giving in our church June 2021 and I find 12 good points from you on gratitude

Good information right here, Lisa. Permission to share it with others, please

Wonderful teaching. God bless you

This is highly inspiring and soul lifting. God bless you for taking me through this Kingdom character.

Thank you Sister Lisa for saying Yes to God calling in your and living for that purpose inspire of all odds. God bless you. Am really blessed, more grace in Jesus name Amen.

i am so edified reading this. This piece is so powerful and unique.

Thank you so much for sharing this, i have always been so casual in all i do especially in regards to my relationship with God, I believe this beautiful beginning is going to be an opening to many many more beautiful experiences in my life. May God bless you

Glory be to the most high God

I am so so blessed with these benefits of gratitude and I pray my God reachly bless and enlarge your coast in Jesus name. I will like to have more of your writings

Wonderful!!! Thanks you,😊…..Glory to God

This is awesome. God bless you.

J am really blessed. Thanks so much. God bless you.

This message was timely, it settled the issues of anxiety, worries, and depression. If God is our focus life journey will be peaceful.

Thanks for this message on thanksgiving you have shared with us l am blessed with it God bless you real good in Jesusname

I am so much blessed, words are not enough to express my heartfelt gratitude of this timely message, may i ask permission to share this to our division virtual convocation.

Great revelation through the Holy spirit.

It gives me joy to read your right up, it shall be well with you in all that your hands find to do. It changed my life and help me see the need gratitude and thankful to God for what He has done in our lives.

Thank you very much for this series,it was helpful.

The power of Gratitude is my best article and I love it too much, You listed in easy way to remember. God bless you and use all your effort’s for His Glory.

Thank you very much l needed this. May God bless you, lm so much blessed

This is great and inspiring. More grace of God in Jesus name

Hi Lisa, Allow me to share this article with my church. Thanks

Thank you for this wonderful message. It good to give thanks to God for everything He has done for us. If man were to be in position to give us the things of life, he would be partial and deny us what should have been free. Pastor Adewale Sunday

Thank you Lisa for the information I received from you am so blessed. I will testify the goodness of God

This is so powerful, may the Lord God Almighty continue giving you more and more wisdom reveal alot to you.

Thank you LISA for such a meaningful thoughts on being Gratitude. I am blessed.

YES, it is true that developing a grateful heart brings incredible blessings.

John Wesley, NSM Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

Please send me teachings from this group. I will really appreciate it. Thanks.

Wow this is powerful. Thank you so much and God bless you.

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Why does giving thanks to God matter?

Plain Bible Teaching

Thankful: Conclusion

Over the last few weeks, we have considered some reasons why we are to be thankful to God. We are to give thanks for His word because it shows us the way of salvation and what we should do to please Him. We are to show gratitude for the blessings that we receive in this life that have been provided to us by God. We must be thankful for God’s mercy which allows us the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and have fellowship with Him. We also ought to always be grateful for the hope that we have through Christ that allows us to look forward to an eternal reward in heaven.

As we noticed at the beginning of this study, there are five things that are necessary for us to be thankful:

• A giver – The giver of all good things is God (James 1:17).
• A recipient – We have received the good things that God has provided.
• A gift that is accepted – We must be willing to receive the gifts that God provides and not reject, neglect, or discard them.
• An appreciation of the gift – This involves us recognizing what God provides us and appreciating the value of these blessings.
• A demonstration of gratitude – Through our words and our actions, we are to offer our sincere thanks to God.

In this series, we have only scratched the surface of all the things for which we should be thankful. During the Thanksgiving season – and at all times throughout the year – let us reflect on all of the good things that we have and continually thank God for them.

There is always a temptation to focus on the negative things in this life – the challenges, hardships, and trials that we face – and forget to thank God for all of the good things He has provided us. Let us not make that mistake. God has abundantly blessed us far more than anything we deserve, especially as we look beyond this life. Let us regularly offer praise and thanks to Him!

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Thanking God for Everything

This article is based on Pastor Adrian Rogers' message, Give Thanks in Tough Times .

Ephesians 5:20

Related media.

Ephesians 5:20 says we should be, “…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Is it possible to give thanks for all things?

To pretend that all things are good would mock God. Murder, cancer, and divorce are not good. So how can we thank God for these things? Because God is good. (See James 1:17; 2 Samuel 22:31.) It’s all right to ask questions, but always assume the goodness of God.

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God is sovereign, and causes all things—bad or good—to work for good , for those who love Him.

Here are seven good things that trouble may bring for you. You can thank God for them:

“For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives….No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:6, 11).

God loves us enough to correct us. King David wrote, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Psalm 119:67). If trouble brings correction, should you not thank God?

Dependence on God

The Apostle Paul was highly gifted with grace, as well as intellect and influence. Paul’s temptation was to depend on himself.

God blessed Paul with a vision. He was caught up into the third Heaven and saw things not lawful for a man to utter. But then, Paul said, “Lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me…I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

Your greatest strength is God. But when we sail through life without difficulties, we tend not to depend upon Him. Blessings can become a curse unless God allows us to have trouble that brings us to Him. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). If your anguish causes you to depend upon God, can’t you thank Him for it?

It may be that deep sorrow gives you the greatest testimony.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

God is the source of comfort, God comforts us in all tribulation, and God allows us to comfort others with the same comfort we received from Him.

The Apostle Paul, sitting in a dank, miserable prison, waiting to be executed, said, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12).

Satan once said something like this to God, “The only reason Job serves you is because he has never had trouble.” (Read Job 1:9-11.)

God replied, in effect, “You don’t know my servant, Job. He loves me not because of what I’ve done for him, but because of who I am.” (Read Job 1:12-22.)

If trouble and pain cause you to have a stronger testimony, if trouble is a platform for God’s grace, can’t you thank Him?

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

“…His purpose.” What is God’s plan for you?

Health and wealth? Sorry—no.

Service and usefulness? Yes, God wants that, but that is not His highest plan for you.

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29a). God’s plan is to make His children like Christ Jesus. Christ-likeness is maturity.

In difficulty, we learn patience. You won’t be a mature child of God until you learn patience. (See James 1:4.) And the only way to learn patience, or endurance, is to have something to endure.

So if God is using trouble to make you more like Jesus, can’t you thank Him?

Most of us ask, Why me, Lord? The Apostle Peter said, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified (1 Peter 4:12-14).

Do you want the Spirit of glory and of God to rest on you? Do you want a fiery trial? Peter says it is the fiery trial that brings the Spirit of glory upon us. If your trouble and pain cause you to know this glory, then for God’s glory, can you not thank Him for it?

Maybe you are thinking, these reasons all sound good, but they don’t fit my case. Here is one that will: mystery . Some things, you will never know. Preachers may never be able to explain it to you. Why?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

God lets you know enough to obey Him.

Job said, in effect, “God, I wish there were somebody to argue my case to you. I don’t understand!” (Read Job 23:3-5.) But Job still obeyed. Even when Job’s wife said, “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9), Job said, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 10). Ultimately, Job concluded about God, “ Though He slay me , yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

We don’t have to understand all things in order to thank God. Not all things are good, but God is good.

Eternal Victory

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

Paul is saying in this passage that the glory offsets the suffering. He is not saying that the glory will be just as good as the suffering is bad. He says the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory.

If these seven things are true—and every one is—then can we not, in everything , give thanks?

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7 Great Reasons to Give Thanks to God

In this autumn season, many people find themselves focusing more on thankfulness. But a look at Scripture reminds us that to "give thanks to the Lord" must be a foundation of our lives every day. In fact, having an “attitude of gratitude” adds to our spiritual and physical health all year round - and it’s a mindset we can cultivate. We can certainly express our appreciation to family and friends, for employment, pleasant experiences and new things. But the Bible clearly instructs Christians to fix our eyes on the Heavenly Father, the true source of every good thing in our lives. He is the One who graciously gives us “good things” of all kinds, and our natural response should be thank Him specifically.

How Can We Express Thanksgiving?

“Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise His name” ( Psalm 100:4 ).

We can lift up our thanks privately anytime. But there’s something very special about gathering together to express gratitude to God. A church I attended actually turned this into a celebration called a “testimony slam.” People were invited to stand and share something God had done in their lives, or how coming to know Jesus changed their lives. Listening to stories always led me to be more aware and grateful for God’s presence in my life.

Verses all through the Bible point us back to God as our Creator and Sustainer, and how we are to be a thankful people. The list of things we could praise Him for is endless. But here are just a few reasons to give thanks to God all year long. Don't be surprised if more blessings come to your mind as you read these.

  “Let us come before him with Thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all gods” ( Psalm 95:2-3 ).

Give Thanks for His Love

In 1 John, the disciple says straight out that, “God is love” ( 1 John 4:8 ). In Scripture , we see those that received and embraced His unconditional love for them humbly and joyfully thanked the Lord for it.

“ Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good...” ( 1 Chronicles 16:34 ).

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever” ( Psalm 106:1 ).

 “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind…” ( Psalm 107:15 ).

God’s love is just as strong for us today as it was for those in Scripture. He is still our Abba Father, who seeks relationship with us. His deep and abiding love should lead us to praise Him just like those we read about.

How has God shown His love to you?

To help you in thanking God, we created a  30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide HERE . Download and print this guide to keep with you as a reminder of God's love and promises.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao

Give Thanks for His Provision

From the earliest days of the Israelite nation, God has delivered His people from, and led them through, all sorts of trials and hardships. So, many accounts tell of people responding with gratitude for how God watched over them in challenging times. Their trust grew stronger and led them to pray with expectation going forward.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise him” ( Psalm 28:7 ).

“I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: you have given me wisdom and power…” ( Daniel 2:23 ).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” ( Philippians 4:6 ).

“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” ( Ephesians 5:19-20 ).

It doesn’t take much thought for us to come up with our own testimonies of how God has carried us in hard times. He wants us to recognize that He, and no one else, is our Provider, and to hear our response.

In what situation has God provided for you?

Give Thanks for His Forgiveness

King David and the disciple Peter are two examples in Scripture of men who were impacted by their sinful choices, and later received the forgiveness of God. Both were deeply changed in the process. Others join with them in Scripture to express thanks for such amazing grace.

“I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me” ( Isaiah 12:1 ).

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins…” ( Psalm 103:2-3 ).

Every believer throughout the ages has been able to hold onto the same promise of receiving God’s forgiveness for sin. We too can feel that lightening of our spirit, and respond with gratitude.

What sins has God forgiven you for?

Photo credit: Getty Images/tommaso79

Give Thanks for His Word

Even before the Bible we know today existed, its teachings and truths were shared. Sometimes it spread by word of mouth, other times in written form. But whatever way it reached people, the Word of God changed minds and hearts, and inspired gratitude in those that heard it.

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms , hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” ( Colossians 3:16 ).

“At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws” ( Psalm 119:62 ).

Today, most of us are immensely blessed to have access to the whole Bible. On any given day, we can be impacted by the life-renewing power within its pages. God is pleased when we use this gift and thank Him for it.

What Bible verse has made a difference in your faith walk?

Give Thanks for His Creation

God created the earth for His pleasure and ours, and took great care in the process of making it. Every detail was intentional. King David was one of many who delighted in nature, seeing evidence of the Master’s hand all around him.

“Give thanks to the Lord of lords: to him who alone does great wonders, who by his understanding made the heavens, who spread out the earth upon the waters, who made the great lights - the sun to govern the day, the moon and stars to govern the night…” ( Psalm 136:3-9 ).

We have the opportunity to appreciate God's handiwork as well. Looking up into a bright blue sky, sitting on the beach or a walk in the woods is a way to find refreshment and calm.

What is your favorite spot in nature to spend time?

Photo credit: Getty Images/digitalskillet

Give Thanks for His People

The Apostle Paul often expressed gratitude for his fellow Christians, for the encouragement and support they gave. He recognized that God was ministering to him through those believers, while giving them a chance to know the joy of serving the Lord. Feeling the power of community brought out praises.

“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers” ( 1 Thessalonians 1:2 ).

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and their faith in the Lord Jesus” ( Philemon 1:4 ).

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your face is growing more and more and the love all of you have for one another is increasing” ( 2 Thessalonians 1:3 ).

The church was part of God’s plan for His people. Most of us who belong to a local church family can agree that there is comfort and strength to be found in fellowship. We are given chances to serve each other and help each other grow closer to our Lord. The sound of thanks coming from a congregation sounds sweet to God.

How has being in a church family made a difference in how you live?

Give Thanks for His Plan for Us

The Apostle Paul wrote repeatedly that the followers of Christ have been set apart by God. He taught that believers have the privilege and responsibility of growing in holiness and of joining the Lord in His work. Paul also mentions God's plan for us to share in numerous blessings through what Jesus did on the cross : victory over the enemy, restoration with God and an eternal Kingdom to enjoy.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere” ( 2 Corinthians 2:14 ).

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” ( 1 Corinthians 15:57 ).

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire’” ( Hebrews 12:28-29 ).

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign” ( Revelation 11:17 ).

How has the knowledge of God’s plan for you now and in the future encouraged you?

God Gladly Receives Our Praise

In this age, we are even closer to seeing the return of Christ. That should awaken us to greater determination to be known as God’s children, and more gratitude for His wonderful promises.

Saying “thank you” to God hardly seems like enough in light of all His blessings to us. But whenever we do that, He gladly receives our praises. Studying verses about thankfulness will bring us to a place of humility, and a place of joy, and that is how God wants us to live every day.

“What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people” ( Psalm 116:12-14 ).

Photo credit: Unsplash/Joshua Earle

Heather Adams is an author, speaker, and singer living in Connecticut. Heather’s passion is to equip and encourage believers to seek more of God’s truth and to experience more of His joy each day. Her book, “ Bow Down: The Heart of a True Worshipper ” is a practical, 30-day devotional about worship. Worship Walk Ministries , her blog, offers weekly Scripture passages and insights to ponder. Heather shares her home with her family, an English setter named Marcie and Galaxy, the most curious cat she’s ever met. You can connect with her on her website: heatheradamsworshipwalk.com

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How to Honor the Lord Through Prayer, Service, & Song

Last Updated: November 29, 2023 Fact Checked

Thanking God Directly

Showing gratitude through action, expert interview, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Olivia Woodford and by wikiHow staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA . Olivia Woodford is the Founder of Bible Women Speak. Olivia has been teaching biblical stories of women through theater since 1992. She is a member of Biblical Storytellers International and has performed at and hosted learning retreats with churches, schools, and women's groups of all denominations throughout the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Olivia has a BFA in Theater Arts from Boston University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 778,993 times.

Giving thanks to God is a great way to honor Him and draw closer to Him. It can be easy to give thanks when something good happens, but it's important to be thankful even when times are difficult—or when you’re just living your daily life! You can give thanks by praying, singing, sharing the Word of God with others, and in lots of other ways. Keep reading to discover the many different ways of honoring God and thanking Him for the blessings he’s given you!

Things You Should Know

• Thank God every day! Thank Him for big things, like having a baby, and for everyday, ordinary things, like the beauty of nature.
• Honor God by living according to His will, by reading the Bible, and by singing praises.
• Spread the Word of the Lord to others, and invite them to praise the Lord with you!

• In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Bible says: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
• A prayer of daily gratitude might sound like this: “Dear God, thank You for this day and for my health and for surrounding me with love and beauty. I am grateful to be alive today and I rejoice that You are watching over me. Amen.”

• Major blessings might include things like meeting the love of your life, getting a major promotion, finding out that you're expecting a child, or receiving an unexpected, meaningful gift.
• A prayer of thanks after a blessing might be something like: "Heavenly Father, I am so humbled that You have blessed me with the gift of a child. I thank You with my whole heart. Please protect my unborn baby and give me wisdom to be a good parent. Amen."
• If you get caught up in the moment and you forget to thank God right when something good happens, it's okay if you pray later when you do think about it. As you keep practicing gratitude, you'll likely find that over time it will become easier to remember God in the moment.

• Psalms 7:17 says: "I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."
• For instance, if you see one person doing a kind act for another, you might say a short prayer like, "Father, thank You for allowing me to see people showing each other the same love You have for us."

• In Psalms 118:29, the Bible says: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever."
• If you’re feeling discouraged, you might pray something like, "Dear God, I'm having a hard time today, but I know that You are watching over me. Thank You for Your unconditional, unfailing love, and please help to uplift my spirit. Amen."
• Even if things are going well, you can still pray to God to thank Him for loving you.

• For instance, if you have been blessed with wealth, you might start a nonprofit organization that serves lunch to kids during the summer when they don't have access to school meals.
• If you've been blessed with the ability to be a good listener and a comfort to people who are hurting, you might decide to have a career as a counselor.

• For instance, if someone says, "Your home is beautiful," you might say, "Thank you! God has really blessed my life and I'm very grateful to Him."
• If they ask you more about your faith in God, you might invite them to come to church with you so they can learn about God's generosity as well.

• The Bible is full of examples of God's followers using music to worship him, including David.
• Psalms 95:1-3 says: "O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."
• You don't have to be the world's best musician to honor God with your song! As long as your praise comes from your heart, that will be good enough.

• To live for God, pray and read the Bible each day, turn away from your sins, and listen for His guidance in all of the decisions that you make.

• Luke 14:11 says: "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
• In Proverbs 22:4, the Bible says: "Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life."

You Might Also Like

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about Christianity, check out our in-depth interview with Olivia Woodford .

• ↑ https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Thessalonians%205%3A16-18/
• ↑ https://www.gotquestions.org/giving-thanks-to-God.html
• ↑ https://countingmyblessings.com/best-ways-thank-god/
• ↑ https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-unconditional-love/
• ↑ https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-humility/

About This Article

If you want to thank God for every blessing He has given you, try keeping an open line of communication with Him at all times and thank Him continuously throughout your day. For example, you can say a quick prayer after small blessings, offer a special prayer after major blessings, and even give thanks to God when you're having a tough day. Aside from prayer, you can show your gratitude by performing acts of service and helping others in need. You can also tell other people about God and attribute your blessings to him in conversation whenever it seems appropriate. Finally, live according to God's will to honor Him with your life. Pray and read the Bible every day, turn away from your sins, and listen for His guidance in all of the decisions that you make. To learn more about ministering to others, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Prayer Requests and Learning How to Pray

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15 Prayers to Say "Thank You God" with Heartfelt Gratitude

• Rachel Dawson
• Updated Apr 26, 2024

Our lives can get overwhelming, daunting, and challenging. We can quickly get discouraged, frustrated, and burned out by circumstances or relationships beyond our control. In those seasons where we feel hopeless and helpless, the best thing we can do is turn away from the challenges and toward the love of God. Saying a prayer of thanksgiving is how we make a change in our heart and mind. When we remember that God is in control and our lives are not our own, we remember we have a Savior who gives us strength when we are weak and comforts us in all our times of need.

When we pause to count our blessings, there's no better way to express our gratitude than through a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving. These prayers do more than just list the good things in our lives; they connect us deeply with God, allowing us to reflect on His abundant generosity.

"Thank You, God" Prayer

Thank you, God, for the life you have blessed me with. Thank you for the opportunities that I have been given and for the strength to make the most of them. Thank you for guiding me through difficult times and for giving me the courage to face whatever comes my way. Most of all, thank you for your unconditional love and support, which has seen me through every challenge and kept me going. You are an ever-present source of comfort and hope, and I am deeply grateful for all that you have done for me.

To help you in thanking God, we created a 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide HERE . Download and print this guide to keep with you as a reminder of God's love and promises.

We love and serve a good, gracious Father, and we are undeserving of the love, grace, and mercy he so freely lavishes on us. What else could we do but give him endless thanks and praise in return?

We hope and pray that the following verses, prayers, videos, and resources help you find countless ways to say "thank you" to the Lord of all heaven and earth, the God who knows and cherishes our hearts. He has given us so much to be grateful for every season-- life, salvation, loved ones, tiny blessings in our busy days, kind words from strangers, sunshine... the list goes on.

Here are a few ways you can offer up prayers of thanksgiving and say "Thank you, God" today:

A Prayer for Gratitude

Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are Able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy!

In Jesus ' Name, Amen.

A Simple Prayer of Thanks

Lord, thank you for the abundant blessings in my life. You have given me more than I ever dreamed possible and I am so grateful. You've placed caring people around me who consistently support and watch over me. I am blessed daily by family and friends through their kindness and loving deeds. Thank you for all these gifts. I don't take any of them for granted.

For Strength in Weakness

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our strength when we are weak. Thank you for your promises that speak love and peace into our lives every day. Help me to trust your Word and claim it to be truth! Please help us to wait on Your perfectly timed plans, fully surrendering our lives to Your leading. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thank You for Loving Me

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and always seeing me. I’m so grateful I am not invisible to You. You call me the apple of Your eye, the crown of creation, friend and beloved. I will echo Leah and declare that, “I will praise the LORD.” You are worthy of all praise, blessing, honor and glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ( Arlene Pellicane )

A Prayer of Thankfulness for Times of Struggle

God, Sometimes life gets me down and I find it hard to see things to be thankful for. Open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve given me in my life. I’m going to start by thanking you for loving me enough to come to earth and die so we can live together forever. Amen. ( Wendy Van Eyck )

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess. 5:18

Choosing Gratitude

God, we thank You for who You are and all You have done for us. We praise You when life is hard. We praise You when life is happy. We choose to thank You in all that’s in-between. You alone deserve to receive glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ( Holley Gerth )

Thank You Father

Heavenly Father, thank You.  Thank You for being everything to me and for me.  You are faithful!  You are concerned with everything that concerns me.  I am grateful for Your Holy Spirit that comforts me during times of fear and doubt.  Thank You for everything that You’ve done for me; seen and unseen.  I will praise Your name, forever!  In Jesus’ name, Amen. ( Maria Drayton )

A Prayer for a Truly Thankful Heart

Lord , teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as Your will for my life ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ). I long to bring pleasure to Your heart daily. Break the power of the enemy in my life. Defeat Him through my sacrifice of praise. Change my outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment with my present circumstances. I thank You for… [ Name a difficult circumstance in your life presently and thank God for it. ]

Jesus , I want to be like You who obeyed the Father without complaint. You embraced the chains of humanity when You walked this earth. Convict me whenever I complain or compare myself with others. Give me Your attitude of humility and thankful acceptance. I want to be like the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. I choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that give praise to Your name ( Hebrews 13:15 ). I long to bring a smile to Your face. Teach me the power of a thankful heart. I know that Your truth dwells in a thankful heart.

“I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” ( Psalm 7:17-18 :1). In Jesus’ name, amen. -   by Debbie Przybylski

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank You for Heavenly Guidance

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your unfailing guidance and the wisdom You bestow upon us daily. As we navigate the complexities of life, we are grateful for the clarity and discernment You provide in our decision-making. Your light illuminates our paths and Your truths steer us toward righteousness.

In moments of uncertainty, Your wisdom is a beacon that guides us through. We are thankful not only for the support You give but also for the challenges that refine us, teaching us to rely more fully on Your grace. Help us to keep our hearts open to Your guidance and to trust in Your eternal wisdom, which surpasses all understanding.

Grant us the courage to make decisions that align with Your will, and the peace to accept the paths You lay before us. We are grateful for Your hand in our lives, gently guiding us toward our purpose and strengthening us for the journey ahead.

In Your holy name, we give thanks. Amen.

A Prayer for the Simple Things

Thank you, God, for all your blessings to me and my family; for the strength you give me each day and for all the people around me who make life more meaningful. Amen .

Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your Son and Your Spirit, given to me. Thank You for the provision of shelter and food I have today. And Lord, thank You for this reminder to become more mindful of my blessings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen . ( Rachel  Olsen )

Thank you For Peace

Heavenly Father, thank You for caring about my life. Thank You that I can talk to You about everything. I have lots of concerns so I’m bringing each one to You. Thank You for promising to give me Your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ( Sheila Walsh )

A Prayer of Thanks For Children

God, thank You for this day! Thank You for the birds and the animals, the flowers and the trees, the lakes and the streams, and the sun that rises and sets over them each day. Thank You for creating everything we see! Thank You for the life we live, and for making each person different. Thank You for Jesus, who died for us so that we can go to heaven one day just for believing in Him. What an amazing God You are! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ( Meg Bucher )

A Powerful Morning Prayer of Thanksgiving

Heavenly Father, As I awake to the new light of this day, I come before You with a heart brimming with gratitude. Thank You for the gift of this fresh morning, for the quiet beauty that surrounds me and for the breath that fills my lungs. Each moment is a testament to Your endless mercy and love.

Thank You for the restful sleep that has renewed my spirit, and for the opportunities that lie ahead. Help me to recognize them as blessings and challenges meant to strengthen my character and deepen my faith.

Lord, as I step into this day, let my words reflect Your wisdom and my actions Your grace. Guide my decisions, and fill me with Your peace and joy. May I walk in kindness and truth, knowing that You are with me in every moment.

Thank You for the protection and provision You continuously offer. I am grateful not only for my physical needs being met but also for the unseen ways You work in my life. As I move through today, let my spirit be a vessel of Your love, sharing it generously with all I encounter.

In the name of Jesus, I give thanks for this new day. Amen.

Bible Verses of Thanks to God

"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Col. 2:7

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." Col. 3:15

"Devote yourselves to prayer , being watchful and thankful.” Col. 4:2

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Phil 4:6

“O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation . Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”   Ps. 95:1-3

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Ps. 100:4-5

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever." Ps. 118:29

"I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Ps. 9:1

"I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High." Ps. 7:17

This content was adapted from " The Power of Gratitude: 21 Verses of Thanks to God " by Debbie McDaniel. Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Halfpoint

Our 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Challenge

Want to take this "thank you" prayer journey to the next level? Download our free 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Challenge guide here!

For the next 30 days, let’s break the cycle and challenge ourselves to purposefully set aside time to show our gratitude for all our Father has done and will do in our lives. Each day you’ll pray a specific prayer of gratitude. Some days there will also be an opportunity for you to read a related article, or watch a short video. Other days you’ll be encouraged to journal or write down your thoughts about a particular thankfulness related prompt. Every day will also have several verses for you to think about or pray over.

You can start this prayer challenge any day of the month, but it might be easier to start at the beginning of the month, just to keep track of the days. It’s okay if you miss a day or two- life happens! If you do miss a day, you don’t need to go back or start over. Just pick up with the corresponding day and, if you have time, you can go back to the days you’ve missed. You might want to bookmark this page to make it easier to come back to each day.

main image photo credit: ©Getty Images/Zinkevych

This article is part of our larger Thanksgiving Resource Library. Learn about the first Thanksgiving, what Thanksgiving means in the Bible, how to get along with your family, and ways you can make this celebration more meaningful.

30 Best Thanksgiving Bible Verses for Showing Gratitude A Prayer of Thanks to God Examples of Thanksgiving in the Bible Thank You God! 10 Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving 35 Thanksgiving Prayers and Blessings to Share with Family and Friends How to "Give Thanks in All Things"

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Dear God, Thank You For Everything

“When we have nothing left but God, we discover that God is enough” — Mother Teresa

Thank you for always guiding me in the right direction and for knowing what is best for me more than I do.

Thank you for the many times you have forgiven me whenever I deviated from your path.

Thank you for always reminding me that sometimes you are the only one I can trust, you are the only I can talk to and you are the only one who is truly listening.

Thank you for all these blessings that I take for granted on a daily basis.

Thank you for not hating me when I was ungrateful or rude or when my faith was shaken.

Thank you for the times you have inspired me to seek knowledge and know more about the world and about myself.

Thank you for giving me the spirituality I need to contemplate the wonders of the world and the wonders of your creation and the magic of your words and your daily miracles.

Thank you for the thousands of chances you have given me.

Thank you for all the lessons, especially the hard ones. 

Thank you for the love you have shown me through family and friends.

Thank you for the hardships — indeed, every hardship was followed by ease. 

Thank you for always being in my heart and embracing me in my lonely nights.

Thank you for sending me all these warning signs through your messengers who were disguised as people or books or just gut feelings.

Thank you for giving me the strength I needed to endure pain and be comfortable with my loneliness.

Thank you for giving me a reason to wake up every day.

Thank you for giving me people to look up to.

Thank you for sending me people to love.

Thank you for inspiring me to keep trying to be a better person.

Thank you for giving me that faith I need when there seems to be no hope.

Thank you for being patient with me when I can’t even be patient with myself.

Thank you for whispering into my soul when I almost felt dead inside. 

Thank you for showing me that this life is fleeting and unpredictable and that I shouldn’t take it for granted.

Thank you for showing me that you are the truth.

Thank you for health, for shelter, and for food.

Thank you for healing me when I was broken.

Thank you for being there when no one else was.

Thank you for everything.

Thank you for it all.

I wish I can carry out the message you have for me on this earth right –carry it with love and carry with peace.

I wish I can pass the message on and make a difference.

I am writing this for anyone who is feeling lost, desperate, sad, angry or heart broken. Someone who is going through a lot of hardships or feels betrayed by the world, I would like them to know that you are the answer and the only  guidance.

That they don’t have to look outside or find someone else to heal them, all they have to do is look up and talk to you or just look for you inside their hearts. This is the only way to deal with hardships and deal with life.

Writing makes me feel alive. Words heal me.

Keep up with Rania on Instagram

Nothing terrifies me more than being so close to someone and then watching them become a stranger again.

Through a series of letters, author Rania Naim examines past and present relationships. If you are moving on from any kind of relationship, this book is your new best friend.

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TheMomSagas

A Letter to God: Thank You For Everything You Have Given Me In Life

• Post author: The Mom Sagas
• Post published: August 9, 2017
• Post category: My Musings
• Post comments: 30 Comments

I know you would be surprised seeing me address you through this letter. Usually you find me in a different set-up where I have a bell and joss sticks in my hand and you sit decorated in the beautiful temple of my house. That set-up is more formal and elaborate. This one is more real and gives me a chance to write my heart out.

You must be wondering why I am writing a letter to you. As if my daily prayers and wishes weren’t enough that I have another wish ready for you. In my daily prayers, I chant, sing for you and express my hopes which I know only you can fulfil. But today I am writing this letter to express my gratitude. Apart from my existence, there are several things in my life that I am grateful for. I have never been that expressive when it came to saying thank you, so today I am taking this opportunity to do the same.

Let me begin my list of thank you from the very start-

1. You have always been very kind. I am born in the most beautiful family. My mom is my source of inspiration; dad my pillar of strength and sister my advisor. They all love me and help me understand my life, which is given by you. Thank you for making me a part of a such a special family.

2. You always helped me overcome my inner fears. As a young girl, I was an anxious student always worrying about each and everything in life. Before every exam I would cry thinking I would fail. But you always helped me give my best. Thank you for letting me reach my full potential and emerge as a confident student.

3. You have always heard my dreams and fulfilled them. Getting into a college of my choice that too for my favourite course, was nothing less than a dream. But it came true! And I got to live my dream in the best possible way. Thank you for letting it happen without many obstacles.

4. You have always made things easy for me. I never thought I would ever fall in love. But I did, that too with the right person. I believed with all the cultural differences we would face a lot of hindrance getting married, but we didn’t. Thank you for keeping things in our stride and making it such a smooth ride.

5. You have always been very generous when it came to fulfil my wishes. So, when I prayed for one little bundle of joy, you blessed me with two. Never in my life I imagined that I would have twins. Thank you for gifting me the two most precious souls in life.

6. You have always shown me the right path. Now when my kids are growing, I find it difficult to maintain my sanity with their growing needs and demands. But even in the most stressful moments, a mere thought of you keeps me sane. Thank you for instilling some sense in me and help me cope with such situations in the best possible way.

7. You have always kept me safe. There have been times when I have been off guard, unprepared for the dreadful situations in life. But I could always feel the invisible shelter that you created to keep me protected. Thank you for keeping me safe and secure.

8. You have always provided me peace. When everything around me turn negative, I gain strength thinking about you. Even a two minute of meditation helps me to come out of all the negative emotions and retain my calm. Thank you for keeping me positive and hopeful even in the toughest of  situations.

9. You have always been my silent listener. I never had to shout or cry aloud. You have heard things that I sometimes just whispered in my mind. Thank you for hearing even the most silent prayers of my heart .

10. You have always been there when I needed you. I may not speak to you everyday. I am quite irregular with my prayers. But everytime I look for you, you ensure to make your presence felt.  Thank you for not giving up on me. 

You must be wondering that my thank you list is not as long, as usually my wish list is. This letter may be short but is straight from my heart. Every time I count my blessings, I find myself fortunate and lucky.  Thank you for blessing me always. My faith in you will always remain intact and unshakeable.  

Your sincere and firm believer

 I am taking part in The Write Tribe Festival of Words #6   . This is my Day 5’s post based on the prompt- ‘write a letter’.

Also read my post on Day 4’s prompt- Birthday of 2015: The Most Memorable Day of My Life

#writetribe #writebravely #festivalofwords #writingchallenge

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This post has 30 comments.

What a beautiful post Charu.A greatful soul is always a beautiful soul .Enjoyed reading this.

Beautiful post! I ought to take time out to thank him too ?

Thank you ☺️

Such a true & honest letter. It brought back sweet old memoriesof this – letter to God- as assignment given to my students while I was working. I enjoyed reading a mux of many emotions and dialogues.

This is a lovely way to show your gratitiude and is indeed a warm read Charu! Good going!

I thank God for every breath I take. And I can feel the satisfaction we get after thanking Him.

That’s awesome Charu. In our busy life we forget to say thank you to the almighty for every moment, every small joy. Thank you for this wonderful reminder.

A lovely letter. You have written from the heart and I am sure God must be smiling too on reading this. ☺️☺️

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That was a heartfelt post dear. Hope you have a wonderful life ahead. with lots of blessing from god to you and your family

Thank you, Anchal

What a beautiful letter, so full of gratitude and very heartfelt.

Although I am an agnostic & can’t relate to the post much, but I know the feeling of being grateful & feeling lucky to have all the wonderful people in life and being blessed with everything we have. A very positive post. Loved reading it.

Such a beautiful letter! Taking time to say thanks to the power which gives us strength is much needed. Heartfelt post, Charu.

Beautiful letter. It’s so easy to ask for things we don’t have but we usually forget to be thankful for all we have. This letter reminded me about all the things I have to be grateful for.

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wow…thanks letter to god…

a list of the deeds to thank him

That’s a beautiful post. Such heartfelt words. Being grateful is least we could do.

This is so touching.Let the Lord’s name be praised Amen.

What a heartfelt letter to God. Be blessed. We love you Father.

I am thankful and grateful for God’s love and mercy upon me and my family.

dear god take the virus away when iget the second shot for the virus next month your friend andy

dear god take the virus away when igo tooget the second shot for the virus next wednesday your friend andy

Even during the toughest times of your life, there is still a myriad of reasons for you to be grateful. Gratitude is a way for one to have contentment in life— appreciating the little things that nurture your life. You can experience many difficult times in your life. However, if you notice, you get past it, which gives you more reasons to make the most out of it. Counting your blessings is really important if you want to experience the real meaning of happiness. Read my blog

Reasons Be Grateful Every Day

Hope this will help also. Thank you.

Cheers, Doris

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We should thank god every day for our blessings.

We all have many things which we can be thankful for this week. God is so good to us each and every day. We are grateful that we can get up and go about our business.

We are thankful that we have food to eat and clothes to wear. We are thankful for the strength God gives us to go to our job or school every day.

We should always be mindful of the many opportunities we have to help our neighbor and to help ourselves. Do you know there are many who can't help themselves?

Our hospitals and nursing homes are full of people who are hurting and can't help themselves like they once could. Think of all those people who would give anything if only they could get up and do the things that others do.

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, being thankful should be a part of our daily lives. A day should never pass without thanking God for His abundant blessings and goodness to us.

You hear people say things like, "The Lord knows that I am thankful for how He has blessed me." Yes, He does, but there is nothing like telling Him with our lips and just focusing on Him. He wants to hear it from our soul, spirit and body.

The Psalmist David says in Psalm 100:4, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name..."

Praise and thanksgiving go hand in hand with one another. You can't really thank Him without praising Him, and you can't praise Him without thanking Him.

There are many people who are down on themselves and even on God. They are so critical of everybody and they are miserable in the world they live in. They are always looking on the bad side of life. You hear them say things like, "Why should I give thanks to God? He never blesses me."

Have you wondered what a day without God would be like? It frightens me just to think about it. We would not make it. We all would die. The whole world would be in chaos. God keeps the whole universe in working order in ways that we don't even recognize yet and maybe never will.

In Philippians we read these words, "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God."

Thanksgiving is more than just our words, but it includes how we live our lives, too. If we are truly grateful to God for His blessings, then we will show it in the way we live our lives.

If are truly grateful, then we will show it by going to the house of the Lord every week and we will make every effort we can to become what He wants us to be.

The Lord loves you so very much, my friend. He loves you in a way that you and I will never know. We cannot begin to grasp just how much He cares for us. We may have many sins, faults and trials, but he loves us anyway. His grace is extended to us even if we can understand it or not.

People may ask, "How can He accept me as I am?" It makes no difference where you have been or the kind of life you have lived. All He asks from anyone is to come just as you are.

When you get right down to it, this is the only way any of us can come to Him. We can't be something that we're not, especially when it comes to the Lord.

He knows all there is to know about you. He knows where you have been and where you are going. The truly amazing thing about it is that He knows all this and He still bids you to come to Him.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and God bless.

If you would like to correspond with Billy about this or any other of his columns, you can e-mail him at [email protected] .

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Wear Your Faith; Clothe Yourself With Dignity

15 Amazing Things All Christians Should Be Thankful To God For

November 13, 2020 48 Comments

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Have you ever stopped to reflect upon all the things that God has given you? Do you ever thank God for what He has done for you in your life? It is so important, as Christians, that we humble ourselves before God and show true appreciation for all that our Maker has done for us and provided us with.

When we take a step back and think of all the amazing things that God has given us, it should bring us such joy! We should never walk around feeling so ungrateful or unappreciative. I know that times can be difficult, especially with what a lot of people have dealt with this past year. Gratitude is the last thing on many peoples’ minds. However, this is why I want to talk about it. I want to bring gratitude back into the front of peoples’ minds. When we practice gratitude, it makes us happier and allows us to be more productive and centered in our lives. As such, I recommend each and every one of you to start a gratitude journal, or to add prayers of thankfulness and appreciation into your daily routines.

Because thanksgiving is coming up later on this month, I saw this time as a wonderful opportunity to talk about thankfulness and gratitude from a Christian perspective. In my previous blog post , I spoke all about what gratitude is and why it is so important. I also dived into many different ways on how to show gratitude towards God. Now that we understand all about gratitude and showing our gratitude towards God, let’s take a look at various different things that we should be thankful to God for.

Here are 15 things all Christians should be thankful for:

1. be thankful to god for the free gift of salvation.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). 

The first thing that comes to mind is the free gift of salvation that God has given us through Jesus Christ His son. This is something that is so important for us all to remember. God sent His one and only son into this world to become the savior for us all. He became the perfect sacrifice for our sins, so that if we choose to believe on Him, we shall  not perish but have eternal life. The blood that Jesus shed on the cross has wiped our sins away; we have a clean slate. Never forget this .

2. We Are Not Alone

“for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5b).

God will never leave us or forsake us. He will leave the 99 just to save us. If we are lost, He will come find us, if we stray from the path, He will be there to guide us back on the straight and narrow. Take great comfort knowing that our Almighty God will make sure that we never feel alone again!

3. God Gives Us Hope

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13). 

God gives us hope in the present, and in the future of our lives. He has forgiven us of our sins and allowed us to receive the free gift of eternal life, through His son Jesus. We have complete faith in God’s promises for us and what is expected of us. He does not make any promises He cannot keep.

4. I Am Thankful To God For His Unconditional Love

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35).

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). 

There is great comfort in knowing that God’s love for us is unconditional. There is no limitation or expectations to His love. His love never fails, and He will always love us, now and forever.

5. Every Persecution Is A Blessing

“ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). 

Every persecution made against us is a blessing from God. We, as Christians, will not have an easy life. We will struggle and will go through different trials and tribulations. Various Christians across the world today are being persecuted and even killed for their faith in God. Just know that no matter what you are going through or what hardships you are facing, please know that every persecution made against us is actually a blessing from God. Our rewards will be received in heaven.

6. God Is Sovereign

“ Thine, O  Lord  is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O  Lord , and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12). 

This means that there is nothing in this world that is out of God’s control or influence. God has complete authority over everything that happens. God is the ultimate source of power and superiority in this world, and there are no limitations with Him. There is nothing that is impossible with God. We can feel grateful for this knowing that nothing that happens or comes to us in our life is out of God’s control.

7. God Is Good

“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:5).

God is good, all the time. There is no evil in Him. There is only love. And perfect love casts out all fear. Fear is of the devil. God is love. He is so good to us!

8. God Is Always With Us

“Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). 

God is always with us for He is omnipresent and omnipotent. Ever heard of the trinity? God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, we are guided on the right path, and can be filled with the Holy Spirit when preaching unto others, or in any other situation where we need complete guidance from God on what to say and do in those moments. God is everywhere and knows every single thing about us: past, present and future.

9. Always Be Thankful To God For His Provision

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

God will always provide for us and help us when we need it most. We just need to turn to Him and fully submit to Him and ask for His help. Isn’t it amazing knowing that we have a God who will always take care of us?

10. New Citizenship In Heaven

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

Did you know that when you are saved and become born-again, you are written in the book of life. You receive the free gift of salvation and will have eternal life with Jesus in heaven. As such, you are given a new citizenship in heaven. I am so grateful to God that I will be able to spend eternity with Him in heaven!

11. God’s Grace + Mercy

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). 

Even though we are saved and forgiven, we are only human and will struggle/mess up with sin. We are still in this world living in the flesh. But just know that God’s grace and mercy is unconditional. He will always forgive us for our sins and is merciful towards us. Repent and be filled with the Holy Spirit to guide you towards the truth and away from the sins of the world that you are struggling with.

12. The Word of God

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). 

We have the greatest gift here on earth and that is the Bible. This is the word of God that has been written by man but inspired by God Himself. It is the greatest source for us Christians to have and to use because it gives us the perfect answers for how to live our lives.

13. Definitely Be Thankful To God For Prayer

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

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3). 

Be thankful to God that He has given us a direct and FREE form of communication between us and Him that we can use ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, WITHOUT LIMITATIONS. Prayer is the great communication tool given to us by God to talk to Him and let it all out on Him so that He can listen to us, answer our prayers and comfort us in our day-to-day lives.

14. Sanctification

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, [and] prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). 

“Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” (2 Corinthians 2:13).

When we get saved, we become born-again; we are made anew and have a fresh start, a clean slate. We have become sanctified through the blood of Jesus because our sins have been forgiven. We are a new creation unto God and have Christ living within us. Thank you Jesus for all that you have done for us and giving us this new life.

15. God’s Protection

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the  Lord , and their righteousness is of me, saith the  Lord” (Isaiah 54:17). 

Not only will God provide for us but He will protect us too. He will even have His angels watching over you. I feel so great each day knowing that God is protecting my family and I.

Which one of these is your favorite things to be thankful to God for? There are so many wonderful things that God has done for us and provided us with to be so thankful about. That is why we should never take anything for granted and spend time each day showing our love and appreciation towards God.

Need more encouragement? 

Subscribe to gain access to my FREE resources library. Here, you will receive my FREE 30 thanksgiving-based scripture cards that you can download and print out. Each card has a scripture specific to thankfulness/gratitude that you can read, study and meditate on each day!

November 17, 2020 at 5:02 am

One hundred percent agree! I need to print this out and read it every morning!

November 23, 2020 at 5:12 am

What a great idea!!

November 17, 2020 at 11:59 am

What a great reminder this morning. Thank you!

November 18, 2020 at 5:17 am

You are so welcome!

November 18, 2020 at 7:41 pm

I love to listen to my kids pray. It’s so pure and it just sounds like they’re talking to a friend. My son often ends his prayer with “and please, Lord, let Brynlee be nice to me tomorrow.” 🤣 Brynlee is his 2 year old sister, by the way.

November 17, 2020 at 2:07 pm

Yes! I love this! I especially need to remember that God is sovereign right now. It makes it so much easier to go through uncertain times, knowing that He is in control!

November 17, 2020 at 3:25 pm

We should be thankful for everything that is happening to our lives. Me? I am thankful for the gift of life, health and strength the He is given to me everyday and thankful for everything that He was given and He will give for me.

November 23, 2020 at 5:23 am

That is great! Yes, there is so much to be thankful for!

November 17, 2020 at 4:17 pm

I am not religious but I love when you talk about not being alone. I think that no matter what you believe in, to know that we are not alone can truly help us be thankful in the moment.

Yes it is so comforting to know that we are not alone!

November 17, 2020 at 5:22 pm

I’m a Hindu but with you post, it feels like we all are taught the same to think positive and do right. Thanks for sharing!

November 18, 2020 at 5:16 am

November 18, 2020 at 12:04 am

I am not religious but can relate to these as well. Being grateful, thankful, finding hope; all those things are a good part of life.

Yes its such a nice thing to know and believe!

November 18, 2020 at 6:16 am

This is a great list of reminders of what we should be thankful for.

Thank you so much!

November 18, 2020 at 6:48 am

Did you know that studies show grateful people are less likely to be depressed and anxious? I was actually just researching the benefits gratitude has on our mental health and the list was pretty extensive!

November 23, 2020 at 5:24 am

Yes that is correct!!

November 19, 2020 at 3:21 pm

This made me think of my Bible Study this morning. I was reading Habbakuk, which is a great reminder that we can always be thankful to God because we know that his plan is perfect, even when we can’t understand it. #11 was my favourite from your list; I love being reminded of God’s mercy. I don’t like to think about where I would be without it! Thanks for the encouragement today 🙂

Yes absolutely! Oh lovely – yes good thought and same here!! Of course!

November 19, 2020 at 6:51 pm

Amen! This was a great read

November 23, 2020 at 5:25 am

November 20, 2020 at 2:03 am

Wonderful post!I agree with every one of these things .. and then some 🙂

Awesome! Thank you!

November 20, 2020 at 2:04 am

Right now, I am thankful for God’s sovereignty. With everything going on in the world, it is comforting to know that nothing is outside His control. Thank you for this great reminder that we have so many things to be thankful for, regardless of our current circumstances.

Yes such a good point!

November 20, 2020 at 2:56 am

Awesome reminders. Thank you for sharing

Of course! Thanks!

November 20, 2020 at 3:14 am

I really enjoyed reading this list!

#5, I was just thinking/praying about this entire concept earlier today.

It may be hard to see or understand while we are going through hard or traumatic experiences, but with every bad event, a door opens to something incredible.

November 23, 2020 at 5:26 am

Yes that is a good point. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed what I had to share!

November 20, 2020 at 2:41 pm

Yes yes yes! Loved this so much. Beautiful writing 💗

Thank you so much Ashley!

November 20, 2020 at 3:37 pm

I don’t believe in a god but this is a great list for those who do. Regardless, it’s important people always feel grateful for the things they have and find hope along the way when they’re struggling.

November 23, 2020 at 5:27 am

Yes absolutely always practice gratitude!

November 20, 2020 at 4:44 pm

I agree with you that there are a lot of things we can be grateful for. God has been very generous and merciful that I feel so blessed despite the pandemic. God’s love is indeed unconditional.

November 20, 2020 at 5:36 pm

Such an impressive list. God is so great and large. The longer I am a Christian, the more I realize God is so much bigger than I know. Eternity is not long enough to learn the depths of God.

Yes that is so true!! Amen!

November 20, 2020 at 6:37 pm

I love love your post. Thanks for the reminder! I swear I forget everyday why I need to be grateful! Thank you for reminding me the gift of grace and Hope. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. God is good

November 23, 2020 at 5:28 am

You are most welcome. Amen to that!

November 20, 2020 at 9:40 pm

Great post. It’s key to remember that we have so much to be thankful to God for right now. Thank you for posting this.

November 23, 2020 at 5:06 am

Absolutely!

November 21, 2020 at 8:21 pm

These are all such great beautiful and True reminders of why we as believers should be grateful. I’m forever grateful for his continual presence.

November 23, 2020 at 5:05 am

Amen I am glad to hear it!

November 22, 2020 at 11:46 pm

You’re right, as Christians we have SO much to be thankful for. What a great list of things to remember.

Yes absolutely! So glad you agree!

November 25, 2020 at 11:22 pm

While I’m not religious, I 100% agree with being grateful and finding the gratitude on a daily basis!

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Academia Bees

Acknowledgement to God for Project and Thesis (5 Samples)

October 18, 2023

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By Mohsin Khurshid

In the journey of our academic endeavors, it’s crucial to acknowledge the divine guidance and inspiration that have been our silent companions. This article delves into acknowledging God in your project and thesis.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Acknowledgement to God
• 1.2 Acknowledgement for God
• 1.3 Acknowledgement to God for Project
• 1.4 Acknowledgment to God for Thesis
• 1.5 Sample Acknowledgement Letter to God
• 3 Conclusion

Five Samples of Acknowledgement for God

Below, you’ll find five heartfelt samples that reflect the deep appreciation and gratitude felt towards the Almighty for His unwavering support throughout the project journey.

Acknowledgement to God

In this profound journey of knowledge and self-discovery, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty, the divine architect of my life. His guiding light has permeated every facet of my project, illuminating my path with wisdom and inspiration.

I acknowledge His boundless grace, which has been the cornerstone of my perseverance. It is with profound humility that I express my gratitude to God, who, through His unwavering support, has made this academic achievement possible.

Acknowledgement for God

Throughout this academic pursuit, I offer my deepest acknowledgments to the Creator of the universe. His divine wisdom and benevolence have been my unwavering sources of strength and inspiration. In the journey of this project, His presence was palpable, guiding me through every challenge.

With profound gratitude, I acknowledge God’s role in my success, for it is through His blessings that I have found unwavering determination and the ability to surmount academic hurdles.

Acknowledgement to God for Project

I humbly express my heartfelt gratitude to the Lord, whose presence has been the guiding force behind my academic endeavors. His divine blessings, unwavering support, and boundless inspiration have sustained me throughout this project. In every step, His hand has been a beacon of light, steering me towards success.

I acknowledge the Lord’s gracious influence with profound humility and gratitude, as it is through His divine intervention that I have triumphed in my academic journey.

Acknowledgment to God for Thesis

In composing this thesis, I find it paramount to acknowledge the divine presence of God. His guidance, which transcends human understanding, has been paramount throughout this academic journey. In acknowledging God in this thesis, I am reminded of His omnipotence and benevolence.

His wisdom and blessings have transcended the pages of this work, inspiring me to delve deeper into knowledge. It is through acknowledging God in this thesis that I seek to embody the values of faith and humility in my academic accomplishments.

Sample Acknowledgement Letter to God

I pen this letter with the utmost gratitude and humility. As I reflect on the completion of my academic journey and the creation of this thesis, I am compelled to express my profound appreciation for Your divine guidance. Your unwavering presence has been my beacon, transcending the realms of human understanding.

This acknowledgement letter to God represents my heartfelt thanks for Your wisdom and blessings that have shaped every word and thought within this work. May Your divine light continue to illuminate my path as I endeavor to acknowledge You in all aspects of my life. With deepest gratitude and reverence.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]

Why is it important to acknowledge God in a thesis or project?

Acknowledging God in a thesis or project is essential as it represents the acknowledgment of a higher power that transcends human knowledge. It shows humility and gratitude for divine guidance throughout the academic journey, reminding us that our abilities are limited, and there is a greater force at play. This acknowledgment helps to inspire faith, motivation, and a sense of purpose in one’s academic endeavors.

How to acknowledge god effectively in a thesis or project?

To effectively acknowledge God in a thesis or project, one can include a dedicated section expressing gratitude and recognizing God’s role in providing guidance, wisdom, and blessings during the academic journey. It should be a sincere expression of faith and humility. Additionally, using simple and heartfelt language can make this acknowledgment meaningful and resonate with readers.

In all your academic paths, remember to acknowledge the Lord in all your ways. It’s a reminder of the divine presence that guides our steps.

Acknowledgement for Practical File (7 Samples)

Acknowledgement for thesis (10 samples and writing tips), leave a comment cancel reply.

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Thankful for God’s Creation

Psalm 90:2 (watch our video ) by Bob Burridge ©2019

The fact of Creation is one of the most amazing things to think about. For an infinite time in the past, before anything else existed, there was only God. Then in an instant, there was something else. We don’t know the details of this event and probably couldn’t comprehend them if we did.

The Bible begins with these familiar words, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2)

Unlike all the universe that he made, God is eternal. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

God had no beginning and will have no end. Things we know in this world and universe seem to be always changing, but God is always the same. James 1:17 refers to God as “… the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” His promises and power are never diminished, never less than what they have always been and are today. His word is always true as our reliable guide for daily living. It assures all his redeemed children of eternal joy in his presence.

When God made the universe, it started by his spoken word. Genesis 1 continues in verses 3 through 5, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” Where there was darkness, light started to shine!

The whole Triune God was active in creation. God the Father spoke, the Holy Spirit was hovering over the waters. Even Jesus Christ as God the Son was part of creating all things. John 1:1-3, was speaking of God the Son when it said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Our Creator made all that’s in the universe to declare his glory. That’s the purpose of it. It’s not here for his entertainment, or so that we, his creatures, can get things. It was so that his nature and wonder can be displayed, and that he would be worshipped. Psalm 19:1-2 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” As God’s children we need to appreciate and point out God’s glory all around us.

The unbeliever can’t appreciate what the universe tells us so clearly. We are a fallen human race since the fall of Adam in Eden. Romans 3:10-12 summarizes a sobering and hard biblical truth: “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’ ”

The Astronomer sees the planets, stars, nebula, and galaxies. He measures the light from them, and measures the movements of them all, but if he doesn’t see the glory of the Creator in them, he refuses to admit to the most important data that’s clearly there.

Romans 1:18-21 makes this clear. There it says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth . For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

The Biologist can classify the birds into all their species and sub-species by their Latin names. But those who know Christ can also see them as beautiful creatures that declare the Glory of God, their Creator.

To unlock these wonders the person needs to turn to Christ in repentance and faith. Only when restored to fellowship with God by the work of the Savior can the sin distorted mind see what’s really there — a universe that’s pouring out the wonders of the Creator day and night.

There’s an amazing message in the skies, and on all the earth. It’s the wonder of the Creator displayed in all things all the time.

Light itself is an amazing tool for God’s revelation. It’s the first thing God tells us he created. Out of nothing but the intention of God came this radiant energy that still somewhat mystifies us. He made it to display the things he made, and he gave us eyes to receive the message.

It’s speed alone is unimaginable to us. It travels through space at 186,282 miles per second, that’s over 670 million miles per hour. In a small building just 40′ wide, in one second a beam of light would travel from one side to the other 24,589,224 times.

God made all the wonders of the universe, and of this whole world. How could we doubt such a powerful and detailed God? If he can call all the universe into existence out of nothing but his own desire to do so, he can certainly handle what ever comes our way to test us, shape us, and challenge us.

Think of that familiar verse in Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”

When you give thanks to God for something he has provided for you or done for you, think also of the ground you stand on, the air you’re breathing, the whole universe that surrounds you. Thank the Creator for the awesome display of his wonder and glory we so often take for granted.

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Norway hands over papers for diplomatic recognition to the Palestinian prime minister

Norway has handed over papers to the palestinian prime minister in the latest step toward recognizing a palestinian state, article bookmarked.

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Norway on Sunday handed over diplomatic papers to the Palestinian prime minister in the latest step toward recognizing a Palestinian state, a largely symbolic move that has infuriated Israel .

Ireland and Spain made a concerted pledge with Norway to recognize a Palestinian state, a historic move that increases Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza.

The handover of papers by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to the prime minister was made in Brussels, where Mohammad Mustafa is also meeting with foreign ministers of European Union nations and high-level EU officials on Monday to drum up support for the Palestinians. Norway itself is not part of the EU.

The diplomatic move by the three nations was a welcome boost of support for Palestinian officials who have sought for decades to establish a statehood in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip — territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war and still controls.

The formal recognition by Norway, Spain and Ireland — which all have a record of friendly ties with both the Israelis and the Palestinians, while long advocating for a Palestinian state — is planned for Tuesday.

Some 140 countries — more than two-thirds of the United Nations — recognize a Palestinian state but a majority of the 27 EU nations still do not. Several have said they would recognize it when the conditions are right.

The EU, the United States and Britain, among others, back the idea of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel but say it should come as part of a negotiated settlement.

Belgium, which holds the EU presidency, has said that first the Israeli hostages held by Hamas need to be freed and the fighting in Gaza must end. Some other government favor a new initiative toward a two-state solution, 15 years after negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians collapsed.

Sunday's handover of papers came only two days after the United Nations’ top court ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah in the latest move that piled more pressure on the increasingly isolated country.

Days earlier, the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Hamas officials.

The war in Gaza started after Hamas-led militants stormed across the border, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage. Israel’s ensuing offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and has caused a humanitarian crisis and a near-famine.

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Nicki Minaj apologizes to fans after getting arrested in Amsterdam: ‘I’ll have the lawyers & God take it from here’

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Nicki Minaj apologized to a crowd of fans gathered outside her hotel in Manchester over the weekend – after being forced to postpone a show due to an arrest in Amsterdam .

“I love you and I’m sorry this happened tonight,” the rapper, chic in pink from head to toe, told a group of Barbz, as seen in a video posted online.

Minaj, 41, had been set to perform at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena Saturday night as part of her “Pink Friday 2” tour. However, she was forced to postpone the concert after being arrested in Amsterdam on suspicion of alleged drug possession.

The “Super Freaky Girl” rapper first apologized to fans in a series of tweets shared via X on Saturday.

“Thank you to everyone who prayed for me today. May God cover you & all that is connected to you. May you be blessed beyond your imagination,” Minaj explained in a lengthy statement about the arrest, noting that she has “sooooooooo much video evidence” as she filmed her experience in real time.

“I’ll have the lawyers & GOD take it from here tho. Please please please accept my deepest & most sincere apologies. They sure did know exactly how to hurt me today but this too, shall pass.”

At one point, she also shared the name of her Manchester hotel and invited fans to see her.

“Barbz, I’m @ the stock exchange hotel in #Manchester I arrived a little over an hour ago. After sitting in a jail cell for 5-6 hours, my plane still didn’t take off for another 20 mins once I boarded,” she shared.

“I’m going on the balcony so if you’re outside I’ll be able to see you & I may come downstairs. ’ll be out there for about an hour. [Really] wanted to at least get to see you.”

As previously reported, Minaj live-streamed herself being told by police in Amsterdam that she was under arrest for allegedly “carrying drugs” – just a few hours before her next show was set to kick off.

In footage shared via her various social media platforms, an officer can be heard telling Minaj that she needed to stop recording and enter a police vehicle. She continuously refused and asked to speak to her lawyer before eventually entering the car.

In another video , an official told Minaj that all her luggage needed to be searched on the suspicion that she was carrying more drugs.

“Now they said they found weed & that another group of ppl have to come here to weigh the pre-rolls. Keep in mind they took my bags without consent,” she alleged via X Saturday morning. “My security has already advised them those pre-rolls belong to him. Oh yea & the pilot wants me to take my ig post down.”

At the time, Minaj noted the irony of allegedly carrying marijuana in a country where it’s legal, writing, “This is Amsterdam btw, where weed is legal.”

The “Queen of Rap” further suggested that her old management company may have been behind the arrest.

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“All b/c I fired mngmnt who I found out for years were adding on 30-50K on my jet & pocketing it,” she alleged. “I fired a tour mngr recently who was doing the same thing & mad he got the boot. Their goal is to make me late, & to pocket 40K.”

Authorities in Amsterdam confirmed via X Saturday afternoon that Minaj had been released after being booked “on suspicion of exporting soft drugs” and fined.

Following her own experience with authorities, Minaj also retweeted a few posts about singer Ari Lennox, who was arrested at the Amsterdam Airport in 2021. Authorities claimed she was “full of emotions” at the time and arrested for disturbing public order.

“She was ‘full of emotions.’ She was arrested b/c she was full of emotions in AmsterDAM,” Minaj wrote. “Hmmmmm interesting. I didn’t know this was a ‘thing’ there.”

The “Barbie World” hitmaker then compared Lennox to Sandra Bland, a black woman who was found dead in a jail cell in Texas, three days after being arrested during a traffic stop. “Who spoke up for her?” she asked, implying that the situation “could’ve easily been” another Bland incident. “I’m so happy she made it out alive & well.”

Minaj is set to play in Manchester on Thursday, May 30.

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Australian Defence Force repatriation flights land in Brisbane from New Caledonia

The first Australians evacuated from riot-stricken New Caledonia have arrived back in the country but not everyone is safely home.

At least 300 Australian travellers have been stuck in or near the capital of Noumea since violent protests erupted last Monday, with some saying they have been unable to access essential medications or food.

After several days of pressing the French government, the Federal Government received permission to send two military transport planes to pick up the first of the evacuees.

The flights landed in Brisbane on Tuesday night.

Among the passengers were Gary and Chris Salmon.

The father and son live on the Gold Coast and have worked in the nickel mining industry in New Caledonia for 20 years.

Gary Salmon told the ABC he had never seen anything like the current unrest.

"It's very unfortunate what's happening there at the moment, it's such a beautiful country," he said.

"I'd hate to estimate the damage over there, it won't be millions, it'll be billions."

Chris said he and his father were grateful the Australian government responded so quickly.

"It's quite sad what's going on over there it feels pretty awful and pretty senseless," Mr Salmon said.

"Everyone was just so relieved to have that Australian support … when Canberra kicked into gear with DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and they got their comms going they really did a good job as well, so really happy," he said.

Mary Hatten and her family were trying to have a holiday when the riots erupted.

"When we landed, it was just like 'Oh, thank God we're here!'" Ms Hatton said.

She said the Australian government should have done more to warn travellers of the potential unrest.

"By Tuesday morning quite frankly the place was just in a mess, which was very sad for the locals, for the tourist industry, and I suppose to some extent for our own personal enjoyment, we were pretty much confined to the hotel," Ms Hatten said.

"We had a lot of discussions with local business operators and also a couple of people that we met who were expats, working there … for four or five years and they sort of said 'it's been on the cards, things have been brewing'.

"I'm sort of thinking to myself, well, maybe the travel warning should be a lot greater."

A similar flight carrying about 50 New Zealand citizens landed in Auckland on Tuesday night.

Australians await more flights

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have contacted Australians in New Caledonia saying that French authorities will conduct further evacuation flights from the country on Wednesday local time.

"Pending further updates from French authorities, we will contact you with more details on their flight arrangements," the communication said.

DFAT said flights could come at short notice and people needed to be prepared to leave.

"The Australian Government also stands ready to assist with further flights should French authorities grant approval."

DFAT has also told Australians outside the capital that safe passage back to Noumea would be facilitated by French authorities in coming days.

It said it was seeking further guidance on the arrangements.

France's High Commission in New Caledonia said more flights were expected in coming days to evacuate some 500 French and foreign tourists.

The international airport, shut since the start of the riots, remained closed for commercial flights.

Those still waiting for a way out were frustrated.

Australian Benen Huntley had been honeymooning with his wife Emily.

"My wife is quite upset, we just want to get home," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"We opened our hotel door this morning and you could just see an enormous billow of smoke coming off a building in the distance."

Queuing to buy bread, the Adelaide couple had seen dozens of gendarmes guarding a petrol station.

Local authorities said nearly 300 people had been arrested since the violence began last week.

French president to visit New Caledonia

As some Australians began arriving home, French President Emmanuel Macron was preparing to depart for New Caledonia.

Government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot said on Tuesday that Mr Macron "will leave as soon as this evening".

The announcement came after a Cabinet meeting in which Mr Macron announced he had decided to travel there himself.

Aides to Mr Macron said he would meet with elected officials and local representatives on Thursday for a day of talks focused on politics and on the reconstruction of the island.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said the objective was to "prepare and anticipate reconstruction."

"The president is also going there to re-establish dialogue," Mr Attal said.

Initial reaction suggested renewing dialogue would not be an easy task — all the more so as pro-independence leaders blame the riots on Mr Macron pushing through the electoral reform despite local opposition.

"Here comes the fireman after he set the fire!" Jimmy Naouna, from the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) of New Caledonia, wrote on X about news of the president's visit.

His surprise visit comes after violent riots left six people dead and hundreds of others injured.

New Caledonia, with a population of about 270,000, has been rocked by unrest sparked by French plans to impose new rules that would give tens of thousands of non-Indigenous residents voting rights.

Pro-independence groups say any such move would dilute the indigenous Kanak vote.

France has sent 1,000 armed police, troops, and national security reinforcements to its overseas territory.

A state of emergency, overnight curfew and a ban on TikTok has done little to quell the unrest.

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When Prison and Mental Illness Amount to a Death Sentence

The downward spiral of one inmate, Markus Johnson, shows the larger failures of the nation’s prisons to care for the mentally ill.

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By Glenn Thrush

Photographs by Carlos Javier Ortiz

Glenn Thrush spent more than a year reporting this article, interviewing close to 50 people and reviewing court-obtained body-camera footage and more than 1,500 pages of documents.

• Published May 5, 2024 Updated May 7, 2024

Markus Johnson slumped naked against the wall of his cell, skin flecked with pepper spray, his face a mask of puzzlement, exhaustion and resignation. Four men in black tactical gear pinned him, his face to the concrete, to cuff his hands behind his back.

He did not resist. He couldn’t. He was so gravely dehydrated he would be dead by their next shift change.

Listen to this article with reporter commentary

“I didn’t do anything,” Mr. Johnson moaned as they pressed a shield between his shoulders.

It was 1:19 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2019, in the Danville Correctional Center, a medium-security prison a few hours south of Chicago. Mr. Johnson, 21 and serving a short sentence for gun possession, was in the throes of a mental collapse that had gone largely untreated, but hardly unwatched.

He had entered in good health, with hopes of using the time to gain work skills. But for the previous three weeks, Mr. Johnson, who suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, had refused to eat or take his medication. Most dangerous of all, he had stealthily stopped drinking water, hastening the physical collapse that often accompanies full-scale mental crises.

Mr. Johnson’s horrific downward spiral, which has not been previously reported, represents the larger failures of the nation’s prisons to care for the mentally ill. Many seriously ill people receive no treatment . For those who do, the outcome is often determined by the vigilance and commitment of individual supervisors and frontline staff, which vary greatly from system to system, prison to prison, and even shift to shift.

The country’s jails and prisons have become its largest provider of inpatient mental health treatment, with 10 times as many seriously mentally ill people now held behind bars as in hospitals. Estimating the population of incarcerated people with major psychological problems is difficult, but the number is likely 200,000 to 300,000, experts say.

Many of these institutions remain ill-equipped to handle such a task, and the burden often falls on prison staff and health care personnel who struggle with the dual roles of jailer and caregiver in a high-stress, dangerous, often dehumanizing environment.

In 2021, Joshua McLemore , a 29-year-old with schizophrenia held for weeks in an isolation cell in Jackson County, Ind., died of organ failure resulting from a “refusal to eat or drink,” according to an autopsy. In April, New York City agreed to pay $28 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of Nicholas Feliciano, a young man with a history of mental illness who suffered severe brain damage after attempting to hang himself on Rikers Island — as correctional officers stood by.

Mr. Johnson’s mother has filed a wrongful-death suit against the state and Wexford Health Sources, a for-profit health care contractor in Illinois prisons. The New York Times reviewed more than 1,500 pages of reports, along with depositions taken from those involved. Together, they reveal a cascade of missteps, missed opportunities, potential breaches of protocol and, at times, lapses in common sense.

Prison officials and Wexford staff took few steps to intervene even after it became clear that Mr. Johnson, who had been hospitalized repeatedly for similar episodes and recovered, had refused to take medication. Most notably, they did not transfer him to a state prison facility that provides more intensive mental health treatment than is available at regular prisons, records show.

The quality of medical care was also questionable, said Mr. Johnson’s lawyers, Sarah Grady and Howard Kaplan, a married legal team in Chicago. Mr. Johnson lost 50 to 60 pounds during three weeks in solitary confinement, but officials did not initiate interventions like intravenous feedings or transfer him to a non-prison hospital.

And they did not take the most basic step — dialing 911 — until it was too late.

There have been many attempts to improve the quality of mental health treatment in jails and prisons by putting care on par with punishment — including a major effort in Chicago . But improvements have proved difficult to enact and harder to sustain, hampered by funding and staffing shortages.

Lawyers representing the state corrections department, Wexford and staff members who worked at Danville declined to comment on Mr. Johnson’s death, citing the unresolved litigation. In their interviews with state police investigators, and in depositions, employees defended their professionalism and adherence to procedure, while citing problems with high staff turnover, difficult work conditions, limited resources and shortcomings of co-workers.

But some expressed a sense of resignation about the fate of Mr. Johnson and others like him.

Prisoners have “much better chances in a hospital, but that’s not their situation,” said a senior member of Wexford’s health care team in a deposition.

“I didn’t put them in prison,” he added. “They are in there for a reason.”

Markus Mison Johnson was born on March 1, 1998, to a mother who believed she was not capable of caring for him.

Days after his birth, he was taken in by Lisa Barker Johnson, a foster mother in her 30s who lived in Zion, Ill., a working-class city halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee. Markus eventually became one of four children she adopted from different families.

The Johnson house is a lively split level, with nieces, nephews, grandchildren and neighbors’ children, family keepsakes, video screens and juice boxes. Ms. Johnson sits at its center on a kitchen chair, chin resting on her hand as children wander over to share their thoughts, or to tug on her T-shirt to ask her to be their bathroom buddy.

From the start, her bond with Markus was particularly powerful, in part because the two looked so much alike, with distinctive dimpled smiles. Many neighbors assumed he was her biological son. The middle name she chose for him was intended to convey that message.

“Mison is short for ‘my son,’” she said standing over his modest footstone grave last summer.

He was happy at home. School was different. His grades were good, but he was intensely shy and was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in elementary school.

That was around the time the bullying began. His sisters were fierce defenders, but they could only do so much. He did the best he could, developing a quick, taunting tongue.

These experiences filled him with a powerful yearning to fit in.

It was not to be.

When he was around 15, he called 911 in a panic, telling the dispatcher he saw two men standing near the small park next to his house threatening to abduct children playing there. The officers who responded found nothing out of the ordinary, and rang the Johnsons’ doorbell.

He later told his mother he had heard a voice telling him to “protect the kids.”

He was hospitalized for the first time at 16, and given medications that stabilized him for stretches of time. But the crises would strike every six months or so, often triggered by his decision to stop taking his medication.

His family became adept at reading signs he was “getting sick.” He would put on his tan Timberlands and a heavy winter coat, no matter the season, and perch on the edge of his bed as if bracing for battle. Sometimes, he would cook his own food, paranoid that someone might poison him.

He graduated six months early, on the dean’s list, but was rudderless, and hanging out with younger boys, often paying their way.

His mother pointed out the perils of buying friendship.

“I don’t care,” he said. “At least I’ll be popular for a minute.”

Zion’s inviting green grid of Bible-named streets belies the reality that it is a rough, unforgiving place to grow up. Family members say Markus wanted desperately to prove he was tough, and emulated his younger, reckless group of friends.

Like many of them, he obtained a pistol. He used it to hold up a convenience store clerk for $425 in January 2017, according to police records. He cut a plea deal for two years of probation, and never explained to his family what had made him do it.

But he kept getting into violent confrontations. In late July 2018, he was arrested in a neighbor’s garage with a handgun he later admitted was his. He was still on probation for the robbery, and his public defender negotiated a plea deal that would send him to state prison until January 2020.

An inpatient mental health system

Around 40 percent of the about 1.8 million people in local, state and federal jails and prison suffer from at least one mental illness, and many of these people have concurrent issues with substance abuse, according to recent Justice Department estimates.

Psychological problems, often exacerbated by drug use, often lead to significant medical problems resulting from a lack of hygiene or access to good health care.

“When you suffer depression in the outside world, it’s hard to concentrate, you have reduced energy, your sleep is disrupted, you have a very gloomy outlook, so you stop taking care of yourself,” said Robert L. Trestman , a Virginia Tech medical school professor who has worked on state prison mental health reforms.

The paradox is that prison is often the only place where sick people have access to even minimal care.

But the harsh work environment, remote location of many prisons, and low pay have led to severe shortages of corrections staff and the unwillingness of doctors, nurses and counselors to work with the incarcerated mentally ill.

In the early 2000s, prisoners’ rights lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit against Illinois claiming “deliberate indifference” to the plight of about 5,000 mentally ill prisoners locked in segregated units and denied treatment and medication.

In 2014, the parties reached a settlement that included minimum staffing mandates, revamped screening protocols, restrictions on the use of solitary confinement and the allocation of about $100 million to double capacity in the system’s specialized mental health units.

Yet within six months of the deal, Pablo Stewart, an independent monitor chosen to oversee its enforcement, declared the system to be in a state of emergency.

Over the years, some significant improvements have been made. But Dr. Stewart’s final report , drafted in 2022, gave the system failing marks for its medication and staffing policies and reliance on solitary confinement “crisis watch” cells.

Ms. Grady, one of Mr. Johnson’s lawyers, cited an additional problem: a lack of coordination between corrections staff and Wexford’s professionals, beyond dutifully filling out dozens of mandated status reports.

“Markus Johnson was basically documented to death,” she said.

‘I’m just trying to keep my head up’

Mr. Johnson was not exactly looking forward to prison. But he saw it as an opportunity to learn a trade so he could start a family when he got out.

On Dec. 18, 2018, he arrived at a processing center in Joliet, where he sat for an intake interview. He was coherent and cooperative, well-groomed and maintained eye contact. He was taking his medication, not suicidal and had a hearty appetite. He was listed as 5 feet 6 inches tall and 256 pounds.

Mr. Johnson described his mood as “go with the flow.”

A few days later, after arriving in Danville, he offered a less settled assessment during a telehealth visit with a Wexford psychiatrist, Dr. Nitin Thapar. Mr. Johnson admitted to being plagued by feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and “constant uncontrollable worrying” that affected his sleep.

He told Dr. Thapar he had heard voices in the past — but not now — telling him he was a failure, and warning that people were out to get him.

At the time he was incarcerated, the basic options for mentally ill people in Illinois prisons included placement in the general population or transfer to a special residential treatment program at the Dixon Correctional Center, west of Chicago. Mr. Johnson seemed out of immediate danger, so he was assigned to a standard two-man cell in the prison’s general population, with regular mental health counseling and medication.

Things started off well enough. “I’m just trying to keep my head up,” he wrote to his mother. “Every day I learn to be stronger & stronger.”

But his daily phone calls back home hinted at friction with other inmates. And there was not much for him to do after being turned down for a janitorial training program.

Then, in the spring of 2019, his grandmother died, sending him into a deep hole.

Dr. Thapar prescribed a new drug used to treat major depressive disorders. Its most common side effect is weight gain. Mr. Johnson stopped taking it.

On July 4, he told Dr. Thapar matter-of-factly during a telehealth check-in that he was no longer taking any of his medications. “I’ve been feeling normal, I guess,” he said. “I feel like I don’t need the medication anymore.”

Dr. Thapar said he thought that was a mistake, but accepted the decision and removed Mr. Johnson from his regular mental health caseload — instructing him to “reach out” if he needed help, records show.

The pace of calls back home slackened. Mr. Johnson spent more time in bed, and became more surly. At a group-therapy session, he sat stone silent, after showing up late.

By early August, he was telling guards he had stopped eating.

At some point, no one knows when, he had intermittently stopped drinking fluids.

‘I’m having a breakdown’

Then came the crash.

On Aug. 12, Mr. Johnson got into a fight with his older cellmate.

He was taken to a one-man disciplinary cell. A few hours later, Wexford’s on-site mental health counselor, Melanie Easton, was shocked by his disoriented condition. Mr. Johnson stared blankly, then burst into tears when asked if he had “suffered a loss in the previous six months.”

He was so unresponsive to her questions she could not finish the evaluation.

Ms. Easton ordered that he be moved to a 9-foot by 8-foot crisis cell — solitary confinement with enhanced monitoring. At this moment, a supervisor could have ticked the box for “residential treatment” on a form to transfer him to Dixon. That did not happen, according to records and depositions.

Around this time, he asked to be placed back on his medication but nothing seems to have come of it, records show.

By mid-August, he said he was visualizing “people that were not there,” according to case notes. At first, he was acting more aggressively, once flicking water at a guard through a hole in his cell door. But his energy ebbed, and he gradually migrated downward — from standing to bunk to floor.

“I’m having a breakdown,” he confided to a Wexford employee.

At the time, inmates in Illinois were required to declare an official hunger strike before prison officials would initiate protocols, including blood testing or forced feedings. But when a guard asked Mr. Johnson why he would not eat, he said he was “fasting,” as opposed to starving himself, and no action seems to have been taken.

‘Tell me this is OK!’

Lt. Matthew Morrison, one of the few people at Danville to take a personal interest in Mr. Johnson, reported seeing a white rind around his mouth in early September. He told other staff members the cell gave off “a death smell,” according to a deposition.

On Sept. 5, they moved Mr. Johnson to one of six cells adjacent to the prison’s small, bare-bones infirmary. Prison officials finally placed him on the official hunger strike protocol without his consent.

Mr. Morrison, in his deposition, said he was troubled by the inaction of the Wexford staff, and the lack of urgency exhibited by the medical director, Dr. Justin Young.

On Sept. 5, Mr. Morrison approached Dr. Young to express his concerns, and the doctor agreed to order blood and urine tests. But Dr. Young lived in Chicago, and was on site at the prison about four times a week, according to Mr. Kaplan. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, was not one of those days.

Mr. Morrison arrived at work that morning, expecting to find Mr. Johnson’s testing underway. A Wexford nurse told him Dr. Young believed the tests could wait.

Mr. Morrison, stunned, asked her to call Dr. Young.

“He’s good till Monday,” Dr. Young responded, according to Mr. Morrison.

“Come on, come on, look at this guy! You tell me this is OK!” the officer responded.

Eventually, Justin Duprey, a licensed nurse practitioner and the most senior Wexford employee on duty that day, authorized the test himself.

Mr. Morrison, thinking he had averted a disaster, entered the cell and implored Mr. Johnson into taking the tests. He refused.

So prison officials obtained approval to remove him forcibly from his cell.

‘Oh, my God’

What happened next is documented in video taken from cameras held by officers on the extraction team and obtained by The Times through a court order.

Mr. Johnson is scarcely recognizable as the neatly groomed 21-year-old captured in a cellphone picture a few months earlier. His skin is ashen, eyes fixed on the middle distance. He might be 40. Or 60.

At first, he places his hands forward through the hole in his cell door to be cuffed. This is against procedure, the officers shout. His hands must be in back.

He will not, or cannot, comply. He wanders to the rear of his cell and falls hard. Two blasts of pepper spray barely elicit a reaction. The leader of the tactical team later said he found it unusual and unnerving.

The next video is in the medical unit. A shield is pressed to his chest. He is in agony, begging for them to stop, as two nurses attempt to insert a catheter.

Then they move him, half-conscious and limp, onto a wheelchair for the blood draw.

For the next 20 minutes, the Wexford nurse performing the procedure, Angelica Wachtor, jabs hands and arms to find a vessel that will hold shape. She winces with each puncture, tries to comfort him, and grows increasingly rattled.

“Oh, my God,” she mutters, and asks why help is not on the way.

She did not request assistance or discuss calling 911, records indicate.

“Can you please stop — it’s burning real bad,” Mr. Johnson said.

Soon after, a member of the tactical team reminds Ms. Wachtor to take Mr. Johnson’s vitals before taking him back to his cell. She would later tell Dr. Young she had been unable to able to obtain his blood pressure.

“You good?” one of the team members asks as they are preparing to leave.

“Yeah, I’ll have to be,” she replies in the recording.

Officers lifted him back onto his bunk, leaving him unconscious and naked except for a covering draped over his groin. His expressionless face is visible through the window on the cell door as it closes.

‘Cardiac arrest.’

Mr. Duprey, the nurse practitioner, had been sitting inside his office after corrections staff ordered him to shelter for his own protection, he said. When he emerged, he found Ms. Wachtor sobbing, and after a delay, he was let into the cell. Finding no pulse, Mr. Duprey asked a prison employee to call 911 so Mr. Johnson could be taken to a local emergency room.

The Wexford staff initiated CPR. It did not work.

At 3:38 p.m., the paramedics declared Markus Mison Johnson dead.

Afterward, a senior official at Danville called the Johnson family to say he had died of “cardiac arrest.”

Lisa Johnson pressed for more information, but none was initially forthcoming. She would soon receive a box hastily crammed with his possessions: uneaten snacks, notebooks, an inspirational memoir by a man who had served 20 years at Leavenworth.

Later, Shiping Bao, the coroner who examined his body, determined Mr. Johnson had died of severe dehydration. He told the state police it “was one of the driest bodies he had ever seen.”

For a long time, Ms. Johnson blamed herself. She says that her biggest mistake was assuming that the state, with all its resources, would provide a level of care comparable to what she had been able to provide her son.

She had stopped accepting foster care children while she was raising Markus and his siblings. But as the months dragged on, she decided her once-boisterous house had become oppressively still, and let local agencies know she was available again.

“It is good to have children around,” she said. “It was too quiet around here.”

Read by Glenn Thrush

Audio produced by Jack D’Isidoro .

Glenn Thrush covers the Department of Justice. He joined The Times in 2017 after working for Politico, Newsday, Bloomberg News, The New York Daily News, The Birmingham Post-Herald and City Limits. More about Glenn Thrush

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