The holiday season, which traditionally starts with Thanksgiving and culminates with Christmas, is one of the most beautiful times of year. However, for millions of people, it’s also a time of immense pain and sadness. If you’re spending your first holidays without a loved one, have faced some sort of financial trouble that has brought about stress and anxiety, or you’re dealing with some other type of adversity, you may find yourself struggling to find something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
Pray These Verses:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crown you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Pray This Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I know that You are keenly aware of my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. As we get into the holiday season and Thanksgiving, I have some days where I just don’t feel thankful. Instead, I feel pain, sorrow, sadness, stress, and anxiety. I know that those things don’t come from You, and that everything You have for me is beautiful, good, and perfect. I need Your help, not only to get through what I’m dealing with, but to praise You in the meantime. When I don’t feel like rejoicing in all things, give me the strength to lift my face, my hands, and my voice to You in praise. I know that the peace of Christ will rule my heart as I accept my call to thankfulness. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Thank God:
Heavenly Father, I know that I have spent a lot of time lately complaining about everything that isn’t going the way I want it to, but today, I declare that my focus is shifting. Instead of looking at everything that isn’t going the way I want it to, I’m going to look at You. I will praise Your name as my soul remembers all the benefits that You have blessed me with. You satisfy my every desire, and I am eternally thankful. In Christ’s name, Amen.