This series, Thanksgiving: Prayers of Gratitude and Praise, looks at the thanksgiving prayers in Paul’s epistles and uses four different points of thanks that Paul offers to God as a way to help inspire gratitude and praise in our hearts as we enter the Thanksgiving and holiday season. Believers are called to share in God’s work by using the gifts they have received to build up other believers and glorify God. We must work together through prayer to lift one another up in faithful ways so the body will work as God intends.
Paul knew that people share the ability to keep pressing on when life seems uncertain. Several of Paul’s letters contain responses to different questions of faith or theology. Sometimes he has strong words for people, and other times his words elicit joy and peace. However, he always returns to his desire to see people fully alive in Christ. Being thankful for God’s ongoing work in his churches involves seeking ways to help people grow in their faith. We all need wisdom, direction, and confidence that we are spending our lives well. Praying for people is one way this can happen.