Giving Thanks - Day 9 - For Wisdom

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.

My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
Proverbs 4:7-13 NLT

Knowledge is good, great even, but it's not "the principal thing." Wisdom is different. Better. Wisdom is knowing what to do with all the knowledge we have. Godly wisdom is vital in our walk with Christ and with others. In fact, the book of Proverbs refers to wisdom as “the principal thing.” Take time to thank God for His wisdom, guidance and direction in our lives. 

We are so blessed to be able to consult Him - His Word - to direct our paths and help us get to the end of our journey here on Earth with as few regrets as possible. Pray that you would be sensitive to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit in all of your decisions, great and small.

- Giving Thanks during November - Various devotionals and from 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide

 

Prayer:

Father,

          Life presents many choices, and we do not want to rely on our own understanding. Shine Your light on the path we should take. Give us clarity where we are confused and courage where we are hesitant. Lead us by Your Spirit so that every decision reflects Your truth.
       We want to honor You in all we do. Teach us humility and help us remember that true wisdom begins with reverence for You. Give us insight to understand Your ways and strength to follow them. Let Your wisdom shape our decisions so that our lives bring glory to Your Name. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Giving Thanks - Day 8 - for God's Love

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1 NLT

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NKJV

God's LOVE. It’s patient. It’s kind. It’s forgiving. It’s altruistic. It protects. It gives generously. It is the greatest of all. It is LOVE. Love that lights up the darkness, gives hope to the hopeless. Love that changes lives and saves souls. God IS love. 

    

Thank God today for His enduring, undying love for you. Thank God for loving you so much that He sent His Son to die in your stead. Pray He would help you love as He loves, even those who are hardest to love.

- Giving Thanks during November - Various devotionals from 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide
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Prayer: (from Crosswalk)

Father,
     You are Love, and we love because You first loved us (1 John 4:19). Fill our hearts with Your love so that we may give it freely, without fear or hesitation. Teach us to love as You love — patiently, kindly, without envy, pride, or self‑seeking, and to be always forgiving (1 Corinthians 13:4‑5).
     When others are hard to love, give us the grace to choose kindness and compassion, even when we feel tempted to judge or resent. Remind us of Your great love in John 3:16 - You loved us so much that You gave Your one and only Son to pay for our sins and salvation. Help us to reflect that same love in our words, actions, and attitudes.
     Lord, we thank You that love is from You, and "whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7‑8). Let our lives be a witness to Your love, so others may see Christ in us through the way we love. Grant us the Spirit’s power to daily live out this love, and to grow in compassion, patience, and mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Giving Thanks - Day 7 - For God's Faithfulness

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 2:22-23 NLT

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

Psalm 36:5 NLT

But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15 NLT

Can you think of a time when God’s seen you through? Is there a time when there seemed to be no way, but God came through and made a way? Thank Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him for His love for you. Thank Him for all things being possible with Him. Pray that He would continue to faithfully see you through and encourage you to stay strong, trusting in the faithful Father.

Write: Take a moment and think of 3 ways God has provided for you in a time of need. On an index card, write those 3 things down. Keep that index card in your pocket or somewhere where you will see it for the next month. Say a prayer of gratitude every time you feel the card in your pocket or see it displayed. Remember those times of provision the next time you’re unsure if God will provide.

- Giving Thanks during November - Various devotionals from 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide

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Prayer: 

(from Faithfulandwell.com)

Father,

         I come before You with a thankful heart. When I look back over my life, I see Your hand at work in ways I did not always recognize at the time. You have been present in moments of joy and moments of pain, steady through seasons of growth, waiting, loss, and renewal.

Your Word reminds me, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” So today, I choose to remember. I remember Your provision when I felt uncertain. I remember Your guidance when I did not know which way to turn. I remember Your comfort when my heart was heavy.

Lord, You have been faithful even when I struggled to trust You fully. You remained constant when my emotions shifted and my circumstances changed. Thank You for Your patience with me — for walking with me gently, never abandoning me, never giving up on the work You began.

Your Word declares, “The LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” I thank You for Your mercy that meets me new each day. I thank You for Your grace that sustains me when I fall short. I thank You for Your truth that anchors me when life feels uncertain.

Father, help me to cultivate a heart of gratitude not only in seasons of abundance, but also in seasons of waiting. Teach me to recognize Your faithfulness in small moments — in daily provision, quiet strength, and unseen protection.

When I am tempted to focus on what is lacking, turn my attention to all You have already done. When I feel discouraged, remind me of past victories and answered prayers. Let gratitude reshape my perspective and draw my heart closer to You.

Your Word tells me, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” So I give thanks today — not because everything is perfect, but because You are faithful. I praise You for who You are, not only for what You provide.

Thank You, Father, for Your unwavering love, Your steady guidance, and Your promises that never fail. May my life reflect gratitude not only in words, but in trust, obedience, and praise [and in daily living]. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Giving Thanks - Day 6 - For Your Church

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near
Hebrews 10:25 NLT

Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
1 Corinthians 14:26 NLT

Church provides encouragement, corporate worship, and the opportunity to connect with others who share our beliefs.

How blessed we are to be able to assemble together in His Name. Thank God for allowing you the freedom to worship together with other believers.

Pray that He would continue to bless your pastor and staff with integrity and wisdom, and guide them as they lead His church to further the cause of Christ.

Giving Thanks during November - Various devotionals from 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide

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Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for the gift of my church - a place where Your presence is felt, Your Word is taught, and Your love is shared. I am grateful for the fellowship, the encouragement, and the bond we share as a family in Christ.
         Lord, I lift up our pastors before You with deep appreciation. Thank You for their faithful service, their wisdom, and their compassion. Bless them with strength for each day, peace in their hearts, and joy in their calling. May they always feel the congregation's support and love.
       Continue to guide our church in truth and grace. Let our worship be pleasing to You, our outreach be fruitful, and our hearts remain open to Your leading. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Giving Thanks - For the Unwanted Gifts

8 Three times I begged the Lord to take it away; each time he said, "My grace is all you need." My power works best in weakness. 

10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8,10 NLT

When I read this passage of Scripture today- Scripture I've read hundreds of times - it opened up in a whole new way. I've been praying and praying, as have my friends and family, to be out of pain, to be healed, to move on. It hasn’t happened.

I've also been praying for humility, and to be rid of the sin of pride in my life. It's been a generational curse in our family. Self-sufficiency. Doing things my own way. Being able to do things in and of myself. Not asking for help. The upside to that is I think I can get a lot of things done. The downside to that is thinking that I can even do any of it without God and the gifts that He's given me.

I've never looked at weakness as being a strength. I've never looked at health issues or financial challenges as being gifts from God. But if we believe the Word of God - that all things work together for our good - as it says in Romans 8:28, then we can trust God to use even the awful stuff to teach us and to train us. And that makes the bad stuff gifts in our lives... no matter how much they are unwanted. Hebrews 12:11 reads, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”.

Paul said he’d rather boast in his infirmities. I am not there, but where I am is that I can truly give thanks in the trials and tribulations that are being used to teach and train me for a harvest of righteousness and peace.

Prayer:

Father,
          You are my ever-present peace, and although I can become consumed with control, worry, or whatever it is I wish were different, still I know You are there. And I am so grateful, Father! Help me to see and acknowledge Your presence in all things that touch my life. Help me see Your goodness and let me never forget to express my thanksgiving and gratitude to You. You are the giver of all good things, and You never stop pouring them out over my life, and I praise You for all of that. Let me learn in the same manner as You are training me - patiently and with confidence. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

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Jumping back in to write the Promise today and praying that I may continue...

Giving Thanks - Day 4 - For Power Over the Enemy

Giving Thanks during November - Various devotionals 

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For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Thank God for His Word that we can overcome fear. When our hearts are full of praise, our lives are full of power. One of the best ways to exercise power over the things of the enemy is to be in a spirit of praise throughout the day. Thank God that through Christ we have power over the enemy. Remember to speak the words He’d have you speak, and pray that you would be mindful of the enemy’s attacks. Pray He would help you remain in an attitude of praise and resist the enemy’s advances according to James 1:7, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

- from "30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide" at Crosswalk.
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Prayer:

Father,
           We pray Your Word that gives us victory over the enemy of our souls. We declare Ephesians 6, that we will put on all of God’s armor so that we will stand firm against all strategies of the devil.We know we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
       Therefore, we will put on every piece of God’s armor so we will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle we will still be standing firm. We will stand our ground, putting on the belt of Truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. We will put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that we will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, we will hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. We will wear Christ's salvation as our helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Keep us ever mindful to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Help us to stay alert and be persistent in our prayers for all believers everywhere. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Giving Thanks - Day 3 - Thanking God for True Friends

Giving Thanks during November - Various devotionals 

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Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Romans 12:10 NLT

In our hurried world, we can sometimes forget to thank God for those special people He’s placed in our lives. Maybe it’s a friend who’s always there when you need a shoulder or one who seems to make you laugh, even on the darkest of days. Is there a neighbor who makes the time to help when there is a need? Thank God for allowing your life to be touched by these friends. Thank Him for the important role they each play in your life. Thank God for calling you His friend. Ask Him how you can uniquely express your gratitude to those who positively impact your life. 

If you’re in need of friendship, thank God in advance for sending someone special your way. Ask Him to remove the barrier that has prevented the gift of authentic, lifelong friendship in your life.

Write: Think about the 5 closest friends God has given you. Spend time today praying intentionally over these people. Send them a text or a little note in the mail to encourage them in their week.

-  from "30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide" at Crosswalk.

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Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for the gift of friends who walk with us - companions in joy, in struggle, and in the daily journey of faith. Thank You for their love that reflects Your kindness, for their encouragement when we are weary, and for their presence in both our brightest moments and our darkest days.
          Lord, strengthen this bond with honesty, loyalty, and tenderness. Let our conversations be filled with Your truth, let our acts of service reflect Your love, and let our shared walks be marked by hope and grace. We pray that You guide our steps, protect our hearts, and keep our friendship rooted in Your presence. Thank You, Father, for the example they set in following You, and for their willingness to walk together in all that matters. May we be a source of comfort to each other, a reflection of Christ’s love, and a reminder that we are never alone on this journey.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen