What Thanksgiving Does in Prayer and Why It Comes First

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A lot of believers go straight to asking.

But thanksgiving does something powerful in your spirit.

Thanksgiving softens your heart, clears your mind, and opens your eyes to God’s faithfulness.

That is why it belongs at the beginning.

Key Scripture Anchor

Philippians 4:6
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Notice the order:
Prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, then requests.

Thanksgiving is not optional.
It is part of the pattern.

What Thanksgiving Produces

1) Thanksgiving fights entitlement

It reminds you that everything you have is mercy.

2) Thanksgiving weakens anxiety

You cannot fully rehearse fear while you are rehearsing God’s faithfulness.

3) Thanksgiving restores perspective

It pulls you out of the moment and back into truth.

How to Practice Thanksgiving in Prayer

Do not overthink it. Start simple.

Say:

  • Thank You for waking me up.

  • Thank You for keeping me.

  • Thank You for food, shelter, and provision.

  • Thank You for protection I did not even see.

  • Thank You for forgiving me and still loving me.

Then move into praise.

Thanksgiving is the doorway.
Praise is the room.

Heart Check

  • Have I been focused more on what is missing than what God has done?

  • Do I pray like I am owed something?

  • Do I remember that God has carried me this far?

Prayer: Thanksgiving First

Father, in Jesus’ name, thank You.

Thank You for keeping me.
Thank You for sustaining me.
Thank You for being patient with me.
Thank You for providing what I needed, even when I was anxious.

I choose gratitude today.
I choose to remember Your faithfulness.

You are good.
You are holy.
You are trustworthy.

Now Father, with a thankful heart, I bring my requests to You.
And I trust You to lead me in peace.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Declarations

  • I begin prayer with thanksgiving.

  • Gratitude strengthens my faith.

  • I remember God’s faithfulness and my anxiety loses power.

  • I ask from peace, not pressure.

Action Step (Next 24 Hours)

Write a list of 10 things God has done for you that you did not earn.

Read it out loud before you pray.

Before You Ask: 30 Days of Teaching and Praise (Vol. 1)
Before you ask on Amazon here.


Redeemed by Grace. Rooted in Faith. Living on Purpose.

Redeemed and Rooted
— S. A. Briddell


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