A Prayer for Gratitude in Times of Abundance
By Heidi Vegh
Bible Reading
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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Isn’t it the human condition to lean on God more in times of need than in times of abundance? Do you ever catch yourself praising God, petitioning God, and seeking God when you are in need, but then as soon as times become a little smoother, your seeking slows down or sometimes even stops? We all need to ask for forgiveness for times like these. God doesn’t want our relationship with Him to be conditional. He wants our hearts all the time, no matter what. Paul implores us to lean into Jesus in plenty and want.
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:12-13
So, how do we remember to thank God when things are good and life is abundant? We practice prayer and spend time with God every day, no matter what. When we get into a healthy habit of spending time with the Lord daily, we learn to pray about the hard things. On some days when life seems calm, we can spend our time thanking Him for all He has done and for all of the blessings in our lives.
God is not conditional. He loves us fully and completely, all the time, no matter what. He loves us the same when things are hard and the same when things are easy. He loves us when we mess up, and He loves us when we do something right. Our love and relationship with God shouldn’t be conditional, either. I am sure it grieves His heart when He blesses us abundantly, and those are the times we choose to allow complacency and comfort to take over in our quiet time with Him. Let us strive to be people who seek the Lord all the time. All of our days.
"One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." - Psalm 27:4
Let us be people who seek God daily with our full hearts, no matter what is swirling around us. God loves to give children good gifts and lavish on us. Sometimes, that is manifested in earthly things, and sometimes, it is behind the scenes that we can’t see. If we position our hearts to lean on God in every circumstance, we will sense His presence and faithfulness, no matter what—good times and hard times.
Let’s Pray:
God, you are so good. Your blessings are abundant in my life. Not only because I feel a sense of calm today but also because you have worked so miraculously through all of the hard times. You have kept your promise never to leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5), and I can see your hand, which has been steady through all the turbulence of my life. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your provision. Thank you that I can trust you when times are hard. Thank you for working even when things look chaotic. I pray that I can remember to put you first every day.
Please help me carve out quiet time to spend reading your Word and listening to your voice. Even when I am living in abundance, you still speak to me. Please speak and show me what I need to know. My life is in your hands, Lord. I want to acknowledge you in all my ways so that you will make my path straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Lead me and guide me away from things that are destructive and help me to spend time in places that build you up and bring glory to your name.
Please build my spiritual muscles as I spend time with you daily, no matter what. Pour the truth of your abundant character into my heart so that I am built up enough to handle life when it becomes hard again. Forgive me for ever being lukewarm or allowing my time with you to waiver when things are good. Please bless me all the days of my life.
Thank you for all that you are and all that you do. In your precious name, we pray. Amen
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/AaronAmat
Heidi Vegh is a writer, speaker, and ministry leader living in Western Washington. She is a remarried mother of four, navigating the blended family life after the loss of her first husband to cancer in 2013. She longs to use her writing as a way to encourage others who have experienced loss and guide them on the road to healing. She contributes to her blog found at www.mrsheidivegh.com , sharing stories and devotionals of faith stemming from her loss and healing, mothering, and her blended and complex family. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a degree in Creative Writing and English and is working on her first book. Heidi is the Women’s Ministry Director at her local church and has a deep heart for sharing Jesus with women and encouraging them in their faith walk. When she is not writing, she loves to travel, read, craft, and experiment in the kitchen. Visit her Facebook and Instagram (@mrsheidivegh) to learn more.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
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Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
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