I have learned how powerful it is to thank God before and after, and in between all that life brings.

It changes my whole perspective, thinking, and feelings for the day when I start out praying, “Thank You God that You will lead me through this day. Thank You, God that You will help me work with each client. Thank You, God that You will continue to bring the right clients. Thank You, God that You will continue to provide my body healing and strength.” I could go on…

This has been a whole game changer in my prayer life. Instead of starting my day saying, “God will You do this and this and this..” I thank Him for what He’s going to do while believing He’s going to do it and thanking Him ahead of time. So, I’m reframing my request with gratefulness and belief. Faith.

When you think about it, think about people who are in your life who are constantly asking, asking, asking, and never thanking you. It kind of starts to wear you down, right? Now God obviously is not worn down by that, but we can start to see Him as a genie in a bottle when all we do is pray and ask, pray and ask, pray and ask. Because true relationships have so much more depth to them than that. There’s give and take, and though you may have season you ask for more from people, hopefully that’s followed up with seasons of reciprocation of as well as thankfulness to that person.

Here’s what I’ve noticed this has done for me. It completely changes my attitude for the day when I start off thanking God for these things and reframing it. So, by the time my day “officially” starts, my attitude has changed.

Instead of listing out what I want God to do, I thank Him that He’s going to do it and by the time I finish praising Him and thanking Him for that, my worry has eased, and my stress has reduced. Whereas when I just list out all the things which are worrying me or are struggles, when I finish praying I don’t always have peace because I feel like I just a list it out not really believing He’s going to do a lot of it. There are actually studies that have been done which show gratefulness rewires your brain in a way to change your mood and improve the “happy” hormone.

I can hear you objecting. But how do I believe? How can I ask for some things I am not sure I fully believe will happen? Do what others all the way back to the Bible times have done. Pray, “God. thank You for helping my unbelief in this situation.”

My challenge to you is the challenge I’ve given myself because I come back around realizing I’ve forgotten to approach days this way. Here’s my challenge for the next week. Pray to God in this way each morning instead of giving Him your list. Thank Him for each of the things you’re asking that He provide for, or do, or heal, or whatever is on your heart.

Then notice throughout the day the change in your mood because you are believing God is going to do this, and you’re thanking Him for it ahead of time. Now I’m not saying expect an answer right away just because you’re praying this way. As I said, if you need to add in your prayer, “God help my unbelief.” By all means do it! I do!

And you know what?

He will!

But then watch for the subtle way He shows up throughout the week. We miss those all too often.

I’ll start you off today.

Father God,
Thank you for what You’re going to do in my life today. I thank You for what You’re going to do the rest of this year and the rest of my life. Thank You for all the amazing ways You provided so far in life. I thank You You’ll continue to provide for all of my needs. Thank You for drawing me closer to You and loving me. Thank You for being the one I can count on. Thank You for opening my eyes to who I need to share You with. Thank You for helping me keep an eternal perspective in every moment of my life.
All to You. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

I wrote a 30 devotional that walks you through gratefulness as you endure whatever season you are in. Grab a copy or grab a couple and start your Christmas shopping early!

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