Before discussing the first aspect of becoming more thankful, I want to add to my thankful list. As I was walking & praying on Monday, I realized I had forgotten the most important thing I am thankful. I was thanking God for Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for me. Jesus should really be at the top of my thankful list.
What are you thankful for today?
How can you become more thankful?
Pray
Praying seems so simple, but that is what God wants you to do. And sometimes prayer is all we have. Let’s look again at 1 Thessalonians.
Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer is sandwiched between rejoicing always and giving thanks in everything. The only way you can truly be joyful and thankful is through prayer. God wants you to pray continually. Ask God for a thankful spirit. Then, thank God for the circumstances (even the difficult ones) in your life today.
Pray Without Ceasing!
The word “ceasing” has some interesting meanings. It goes along with a continual cough. I can truly relate to this because I’ve had a nagging cough the past few days. It just won’t go away. That’s the way our prayers should be to God…they just don’t go away. We are always relying on God to be thankful & joyful.
Another connotation of the word ceasing is the regular production of fruit every year. A fruit tree produces fruit on a regular basis every year. Again, that’s an example of how we should approach God…on a regular basis.
To be truly thankful, you must rely on God’s strength. It’s a fact that we will go through trials during our lives. The question is how we will handle those trials. The only way we can rejoice and be thankful in our trials is falling on our knees … by asking God for a joyful & thankful spirit.
Thanksgiving Activities for Kids
During this Advent season, spend time in prayer each & every day. As you pray, thank God for whatever situation you are in.
MODEL & teach your children to thank God for their circumstances. If they see you model thankfulness and you encourage them to be thankful, your children will be thankful as adults.
Next time I will share my final thoughts on cultivating thanksgiving in your family.
How are you teaching your kids to be thankful during this Advent season?
ps. If you’d like to read more about gratitude, I highly suggest Ann Voskamp’s book One-Thousand Gifts.
Previous 30 Days of Thanksgiving Activities for Kids:
- Make a Thankful List
- Write a Thank You Note
- Start a Family Bible Study
- Read Together
- Chalkboard Thanks
- Gratitude Journal
- Adopt A Soldier
- History of Thanksgiving Unit Study
- Give Thanks Copywork
- Candy Corn Centerpiece
- First Thanksgiving Unit Study
- Family Thanksgiving Worship Service
- Thanksgiving Writing Prompts
- Pilgrim Comparison Writing
- Turkey & Pilgrim Hat Cookies
- Grandma’s Pinecone Turkey
- Mayflower Compact
- Thanksgiving Jeopardy
- Give Thanks at the Table
- Photo Booth Props
- Turkey Silverware Napkin Ring
- Thankful For You…
- Homemade Butter Recipe
- Thankful Turkey Hand Art
- How To Fry a Turkey
- Turkey, Turkey, Turkey
- Encourage Thankfulness In Advent
- Thankfulness Gives Perspective
