A Heart of Gratitude
The third key to a powerful prayer life found in Colossians 4:2 is a heart of gratitude. You will notice in the text that Paul says for them to pray “in an attitude of thanksgiving.” Praying with thanksgiving was at the core of Paul’s teachings on prayer and in the center of his practice of prayer. He speaks of always praying with thanksgiving and in everything, give thanks.
E.M. Bounds says, “Thanksgiving is but the expression of an inward, conscious gratitude to God for mercies received. “ Luke 6:45 says that our mouths speaks from that which fills our heart. In order to give thanks with our mouths, we must have gratitude in our hearts. Bounds goes on to say, “gratitude arises from a contemplation of the goodness of God. It is in this way that our gratitude becomes the platform on which we stand that gives glory to God.
What really happens when God’s people pray with an attitude of gratitude?
1. Their heart and minds are protected through the intervention of God by the peace of God. This is the same God of peace who settled the minds of the three Hebrew children in a Babylonian furnace. This was the same protection of the peace of God that protected Daniel from the Lion. This is the same peace of God that can protect you from the furnaces and lions of this age. This is the word that says be still and know that I am God. This is the word that says it is the peace that passes all understanding. This is the peace that Stephen had as he preached before those who would stone him to death.
One of the greatest benefits of a grateful heart is also a peaceful heart. Philippians 4:6-7 proclaims the protection of God on the hearts of those who will pray making requests known with thanksgiving in their hearts. Did you catch hold of the gravity in that statement? Hearts and minds are protected by the intervention of Almighty God when man develops a grateful heart.
2. God gets the glory and it gets contagious.
2 Corinthians 4:15 reminds us that the continual spreading of the grace of God causes thanksgiving to abound which results in glory being given to God. When God receives his place of glory in our daily lives, we are enabled to live in peace. Not only are we able to live in peace, those around us become infected with the continual awareness of the presence, power, and glory of God.
Let us strive for an attitude of Gratitude.
