Pastor, you carry many responsibilities—big responsibilities. You’re constantly serving others. You’re helping people consider questions with eternal consequences. It’s easy to get caught up in worries that drag down your ministry.

But God tells us how to respond when worry begins to take over: “Pray about everything . . . thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6 NLT). Grateful prayer brings peace. God says that when you start to worry, stop to pray.

Parents understand the power of gratitude. Most parents wouldn’t appreciate their children always making requests without saying “thank you” for what they’ve already received. God sees it the same way. He wants us to ask him for what we need and want. More than 20 times in the New Testament, we’re told to “ask” him. But he wants us to ask with gratefulness.

The Bible urges us to be specific in our requests—and our praises. Instead of a simple “thank you for everything,” God wants us to tell him what we’re grateful for. So when you pray, tell God exactly what you’re thankful for. 

The Bible says that God inhabits the praise of his people. He empowers and uses our thanksgiving as an instrument of power in our lives.

Make gratitude a regular part of your day. Start each day reflecting on everything you’re grateful for.

What are you grateful for today?