When my daughter began to understand words, there were three words I started teaching her; thank you, please, and sorry. These three words are basic expectations of our days within the society. On the side of God, these three things are also very important. God is the creator of Heaven and earth, and there is nothing that exists on its own. Colossians 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him”. If we truly believe the word of God, we must understand the significance of giving thanks, and we must take practical steps to thank the Lord. Understanding thanksgiving may look so simple, but we must get to a place of spiritual revelation to appreciate what it means to give thanks. In Luke 17, we see Jesus demonstrating that giving thanks is expected when he discussed the healing of the 10 leapers; else, this would not have been captured in the scriptures. Luke 17:15-17 “15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” I believe God has done so much for us, and one of the ways we can appreciate HIM is by simply saying- “thank you, Lord.” As we begin our fasting/prayers, it is essential that we reflect over the course of the year/years on what God has done for us and thank him for it. A thankful heart is a heart that is also ready to receive. As we come to God today, we are standing on Isaiah 12:4 “In that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted” to proclaim to the world that our God is good to us.

Thank God for welcoming us into his kingdom, which is unshakable by nothing. Hebrews 12:28 “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.
Thank God for his word that dwells within and transforms us to be who are today and who we will become tomorrow. Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Thank God for everything experienced in 2022. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Thank God for forgiveness. Isaiah 12:1 “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away, and you have comforted me”. Psalm 103:2-3 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins…”
Thank God for his marvelous Love. Psalm 106:1-2 “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?”
Thank God for all the people he put in our path; thank God for the ministers of the gospel, the church, etc. Philemon 1:4 “ I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.”
Thank God for his grace upon your life, family, ministry, job, etc. 1 Corinthians 1:4 “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.”
Thank him for strength. Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song, I give thanks to him.”
Thank God for His peace that has been ruling over our lives. Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful”.
Thank God for always being in our midst. Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Thank the Lord for victory. 1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Thank God for every provision he has made. Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Thank God that we have each other to lean onto. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”
Thank God for delivering us from the yoke of sin and slavery. Romans 6:17 “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.”
Thank God for creating you as unique as you can possibly be. Psalm 139:14 “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”
Thank God for all the prayers answered this year. Psalm 118:21 “I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, And You have become my salvation.”
Thank the Lord for being the Shepard of our lives, families, ministries, etc.: Psalm 23: 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters……
You may have gone through some struggles, but it is time to thank God for that as well, for he may have brought that your way for you to learn of his way. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 “4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
Thank God for his protection. Psalms 138:7 “ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me”. 2 Samuel 22:3My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge, and my savior— from violent people, you save me”.
Thank God for the solid and secure relationship with him. Romans 8:38-39 “ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Thank God because he is not interested in our material things but giving thanks is a sacrifice that he cherishes. Psalm 50:13-15 “13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. 15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”