Gratitude is an integral part of creating optimism in your life. Optimism leads to better health, financial, and spiritual outcomes, and so is a vital practice to incorporate into your prayer life. It also helps us reframe how we think about bad things happening to us. Even in bad times, listing what you’re grateful for can serve as a reminder that there are still good things in your life and that it will get better. Read on for steps you can take to incorporate gratitude into your prayer life and how it could deepen your connection with the Lord.
What is gratitude?
Gratitude is a moral affect (display of emotion) that motivates prosocial (behaviour that contributes to society, like sharing, cooperating and volunteering). It makes you more sensitive to the positive elements of your life. In the psychological literature, it is attributed to personal growth, purpose in life, and flourishing and meaningful life.
Why incorporate gratitude into prayer?
When you tell God what you are grateful for, you are rejoicing in your life, his creation, and the plan He has for you. It also shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance of His love and the blessings he has bestowed upon our lives. A grateful heart is a pleasing offering. Think of it like saying thank you to someone after they have presented you with a gift– it strengthens the bond and shows appreciation. Remembering His goodness strengthens our faith and amplifies the voice of God.
Remember the story of Jesus and the 10 lepers? All of them were healed, but only one came back to say thanks. That one experienced a deeper connection with Jesus, Son of God:
Luke 17:11-19 says “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
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.”
Why be grateful in general?
Several studies illustrate that gratefulness can affect us positively physiologically and psychologically. A study by Siew Tim Lai and Ronan E. O’Carroll reads “Their findings revealed that those who recorded grateful thoughts had positive results (i.e. increased in positive emotions, altruistic behaviour and fewer physical complaints). Grateful contemplation reduces excessive worrying and levels of depression over time (Wood et al., 2007)”
Gratitude is also associated with improved outcomes in social functioning and positive relationships. It reduces the likelihood of developing depression, borderline personality disorder, drug dependence, and other psychological disorders. God wants you to live the best life you can, which is why you should practice gratitude regularly. In fact, Paul writes in Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” And in 1 Corinthians 10:31 Paul writes something similar, saying, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
How to practice gratitude
We know that gratitude makes for a better life and a better relationship with God. So, how do we put these principles into practice? There are many ways to practice gratitude, namely journaling, listing, visualisation, and of course, prayer.
Journaling
Journaling is a great way to practice gratitude because it is physical. It’s a way to truly feel emotion deeply as you dot the Is and cross your Ts. You can write in stream-of-consciousness style, really pouring out what you presently love about your life onto paper. Meditate on these things with the Lord to experience how He has blessed you.
Here are a few prompts to get you started:
- What is one thing I often take for granted?
- Who can I thank?
- Three small things I’m grateful for?
- What am I good at?
- An accomplishment I’m proud of?
- A happy memory from my childhood?
- Who is a person I deeply love?
- What do I love about where I live?
- Am I excited about for the future?
- What brings me joy?
- How have I grown as a person since last year?
- How has God blessed me?
- What miracles have I witnessed?
Give these a try and see how they make you feel!
Talking to God
The best way to incorporate God into your prayer life? Praying! Initiate a dialogue with God and list what you are grateful for to Him. For example:
“Dear God,
Thank you for my family and that you keep us safe. Thank you that we get to live in such a beautiful place. Thank you for the delicious food we get to eat. Thank you that my children are happy. Thank you for my amazing partner. Thank you for loving me. Thank you that you died on the cross for our sins.”
Visualisation
This is more of a mindfulness technique. It’s very effective at truly connecting with and relieving positive emotions. Visualisation is when you focus on a memory, thing, or person in great detail.
Close your eyes and try these prompts:
Something you’re proud of
Think about the accomplishment. Focus on how it felt in your body– was your heart beating fast, were you smiling? What room were you in? What was in the room? What happened in the moments that you achieved this accomplishment? How did you respond? How did it make you feel?
A person you deeply love
Imagine a person you love very much sitting across the room from you. What do they look like? What expression is there in their eyes? Why do you love them? What special memories do you have with them?
A happy childhood memory
What is the memory? Where were you? Delve into the details, like the colours, the sounds, and the smells. Who was there? What did they look like?
An encounter with God
When was it? Where was it? How did you know it was God? How did you feel? What sensations did you experience (e.g. feeling very warm or cold, goosebumps, etc.) What happened in the encounter? How did it make you feel?
Gratefulness = goodness
In summary, gratefulness can transform your life and your relationship with God and yourself. You can express gratitude through journalling, prayer, and visualisation!
If you need help praying or God’s hand on your life, submit a prayer request. We’re excited to share God’s abounding and unending love with you!