![]() Therefore, Paul called them to follow the example of the Macedonian believers, whose sacrificial giving had become well known. False apostles, who attacked Paul’s leadership by accusing him of being in the ministry for the money, had led the believers astray. One of the reasons why Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthian church was to challenge them to get back on track concerning their giving to the Lord’s work. Thankful prayer brings glory to God (2 Cor. This form of thankful prayer is a simple yet important reminder that God is faithful to provide for His children. When traveling in the former Soviet Union I always appreciate the believers’ dedication to prayer, which is marked by the simple custom of standing to give thanks to God not only before a meal, but also afterward, prior to anyone leaving the table. It is assumed that, because food is God’s provision to us, we will bless, or thank, Him for it. The Gospel of John is careful to note that before Jesus distributed the loaves and fishes He had already “given thanks” (John 6:11). Jesus even modeled this for us in the account of the miraculous feeding of 5,000 men and their families. Scripture teaches that all food is from God and therefore should be recognized as such by offering a prayer of thanksgiving to Him: “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim. Thankful prayer reminds us that God is our Provider (1 Tim. ![]() ![]() Maintaining an attitude of thanksgiving expressed through constant prayer provides at least six benefits. We pray for God’s intervention in our lives, then congratulate ourselves rather than God for the results.” Therefore, we must discipline ourselves to practice the discipline of thanksgiving. Regrettably, Jerry Bridges is correct when he writes, “We are anxious to receive but too careless to give thanks. It is more natural for sinners like us to complain and to be ungrateful. We must be told this because by nature we are not thankful people. “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
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