“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”
“with thanksgiving”
“Thanksgiving” is a recurring theme in this epistle (Co 1:3,12; 2:7;3:15,17; 4:2):
1:3,” We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.”
1:12, “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
2:7, “Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
3:17, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
The Greek indicates that thanksgiving is associated with being awake to spiritual things. If we are watchful in prayer, thanksgiving will follow. Thanksgiving is an expression of joy Godward. It is a statement of appreciation toward Him. If we accept God’s blessing as a matter of course, it will dry up our spiritual life.
Principle:
Thanksgiving reflects the capacity of soul to appreciate what God does in our lives.
Application:
It is surprising to find how much for which we can thank God if we look around. His sustaining grace keeps us from illness, accident, etc. We should thank God for His providential care. Have you thanked God for sparing you from a trial?
It puzzles parents that their children are so ungrateful. However, we are just as ungrateful to God, or maybe more so. We ask for God’s blessings on a ministry and never stop to thank Him for blessing us. Someone may help us repair our house, but we never thank them. We rob ourselves of blessings by not thanking God for what he has done for us.
Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
We give thanks for the good things that happen to us, but do we give thanks for everything?
