Living Your Best: Prayer – Looking at gratitude as part of our prayer life
We continue in our series about prayer. Here we will explore prayer as gratitude for God in our lives and how we see gratitude in people, and things around us.
What is gratitude?
"Gratitude does not change everything around us, but it can change the way we see everything around us."
It is about developing an attitude of gratitude: learning to recognise God's presence in our everyday lives, appreciating the blessings we sometimes overlook, and finding reasons to be thankful even when life is challenging.
There is also a lovely connection between prayer and the way we look at the world around us. Gratitude changes our perspective. It encourages us to notice the good in people, appreciate the little things and become more aware of the many ways in which God touches our lives.
Gratitude begins with recognising God
We often approach prayer with a list of things we need, concerns we want to share or difficulties we hope to overcome. There is nothing wrong with asking God for help; asking is an important part of prayer.
However, perhaps we should sometimes begin by pausing to recognise what God has already given us.
Gratitude is about acknowledging God's presence in our lives. It is recognising His love, guidance, protection and faithfulness. It is remembering that even when we don't have all the answers, we are not walking through life alone.
Gratitude is part of the PAL method
PAL
How gratitude fits into prayer
P – Praise
Begin by thanking God for who He is and recognising His goodness, love and faithfulness.
A – Ask
Alongside our requests, acknowledge the blessings we have already received.
L – Listen
Take time to be still, reflect and recognise the ways God may be working in our lives.
An important thought here is that gratitude should not be reserved for the beginning or end of prayer. It can become part of our entire conversation with God.
Learning to notice the everyday blessings
"Prayer is not only about asking God for what we need; it is also about recognising and appreciating what He has already given us."
Sometimes we associate gratitude with the big things in life: family, good health, achievements, answered prayers and special occasions.
But what about the smaller things?
A beautiful sunrise or sunset.
A conversation with someone who makes us smile.
A kind word or an unexpected gesture.
A cup of coffee enjoyed in a quiet moment.
The opportunity to learn something new.
A friend who takes the time to listen.
The comfort of home and the familiar things we sometimes take for granted.
These moments may seem insignificant, but they are often the little gifts that make life special.
Perhaps gratitude is simply learning to pay attention.
Finding gratitude in people
Gratitude should extend beyond our relationship with God and influence how we interact with others.
We can be grateful for the people God places in our lives: those who encourage us, support us, challenge us, teach us and walk alongside us.
But we can also take this a step further.
Instead of simply feeling grateful for someone, we can express it. A phone call, a message, a handwritten note or a few sincere words can make someone feel valued.
Gratitude becomes something we practise, rather than something we simply feel.
Gratitude during difficult times
Life is not always easy. There are disappointments, uncertainties, loss and moments when we struggle to find our way.
"A grateful heart does not mean a perfect life. It means finding reasons to give thanks, even in an imperfect one."
Gratitude does not mean ignoring these feelings or denying our difficulties. It means recognising that even during challenging times, there may still be something to hold onto: a loving family, a supportive friend, a moment of peace, a little hope or the strength to face another day.
Sometimes our prayer of gratitude may simply be:
Thank you, God, for walking with me through this.
That can be a very meaningful prayer.
Making gratitude a daily habit
Ask yourself three questions at the end of each day:
What am I grateful for today?
Who made a positive difference in my life?
Where did I experience God's presence today?
There is no need for long lists or complicated routines. Just a few quiet moments of reflection can help us become more aware of the blessings in our lives.
Closing thought
Perhaps one of the greatest gifts of prayer is that it teaches us to slow down, look beyond our immediate worries and recognise the blessings that surround us. When gratitude becomes part of our daily conversation with God, we begin to see life differently. We become more appreciative, more mindful and more aware of the goodness that is already present in our lives.
We may not always have everything we wish for, and life will certainly have its challenges. But there is almost always something for which we can give thanks.
So, perhaps today, instead of beginning our prayer with what we need, we could begin with three simple words: Thank you, God.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)