Day 2: Thanksgiving + Praise
Prayer 365 // 21-Day Fast: Expansion
More from the "21-Day Fast: Expansion":
Today's Scripture:
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Today's Devotional:
Today’s focus for prayer is expansion in our thanksgiving and praise. Declare aloud, “I want to expand in my thanksgiving and in my praise!” I believe that these two (Thanksgiving + Praise), if increased in our lives, would expand our lives in a powerful way. We would experience abundant living if we would develop abundance in our praise.
In John 10:10 (NKJV), Jesus declared "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” As humans there’s a natural desire for more and for greater. We don’t desire to just barely make it or just get by, we desire to have more and this desire is appropriate because abundant living is God’s will for our lives. However, for many we don’t experience more (and often experience less) because we lack an abundance mindset. In a book I’m reading called Hello Tomorrow by Cindy Trimm, she quotes Darren Hardy saying “An abundance mindset comes from appreciating all you already have and all that you already are. It’s the attitude of gratitude that will completely shift your reality.” In other words, in order to have an abundance mindset, you must have a thanksgiving in your heart. This means I must learn to appreciate the things I have because if I don’t learn to appreciate home or apartment I’m currently living in, I cannot position myself to see greater. Because we cannot see greater if we cannot see the greatness we already possess in our lives.
The abundant living that Jesus referred spoke of in John 10:10 is an example of an expanding life. But in order to see expansion, we must give thanks. In his letters, Apostle Paul often encourages believers to be thankful or give thanks. In our focus text for today (1 Thess 5:16-18), he instructs us to "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” Why does he say “rejoice always”? Because our naturally proclivity as humans is to point out the negative. We have no trouble pointing out what’s wrong or what didn’t go right, but if we would make it a regular habit in our everyday living to tell God “Thank you!”, this would foster expansion in our lives. Something powerful happens when, in spite of our circumstances, what I’m going through or what it looks like, I make a conscious decision to have joy. This is possible because the joy that I have, the world did not give it to me, thus the world has no authority to take it away. Therefore, I choose to "rejoice always” – when it’s good, when it’s bad, when I’m struggling or walking in overflow.
Apostle Paul reinforces this need to rejoice always by encouraging continual prayer. This directly aligns with our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Our theme and key focus is “Expansion.” If we want to be successful in this time of fasting and prayer, we must walk in continual thankfulness. This is essential because we’re seeking God for expansion in our lives, however we must be able to recognize the abundance that’s already in our lives. You may not have what you feel you should have but you should be thankful for all that you do have. You may desire a Mercedes Benz or even a brand new Hyundai but if you have a 1998 Toyota Corolla in your driveway, you ought to give God praise for the car that you have just like it’s the one that you desire. There’s someone who’s catching an Uber, riding a bike or even walking to their destination and would be thankful to have what you have. If you can cultivate an attitude of gratitude, Darren Hardy said it will “shift your reality.”
Yesterday we focused on expansion in our “thinking" and today we’re focusing on expanding our “thanking.” The reason why is because if we would align our thoughts with God’s goodness, we can align our praises for His greatness. When I was a kid, I would hear it sang this way in the church, “When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that He’s done for me, my soul cries out 'hallelujah!’ I thank God for saving me.” Spend time thinking about what God has done for you in your life and all that you’re grateful for and begin to practice habit of gratitude. I believe that in turn, you will begin to experience expansion in your life.
Perhaps you’re saying, “Pastor, it’s so hard to see the good right now. It’s so hard to see the positive.” My encouragement to you is to still give Him thanks. Apostle Paul told us to “Rejoice always, pray continually” and "give thanks in all circumstances”, but why? Because "this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God knows that it gets difficult. He knows that it gets hard sometimes. But He’s also understands that if we’re not careful of how we think, we will miss the fact that our thoughts run our lives. I don’t want thoughts of sorrow, frustration, anger or disappointment to run my life. Instead, I want thanksgiving to shape and motivate my life. When I have an abundance in my praise, I will experience abundance in every area of my life.
Prayer Focus: That you would cultivate expansion in your thanksgiving and praise so that you would experience expansion in your life.
I'm praying for you and with you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
In John 10:10 (NKJV), Jesus declared "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” As humans there’s a natural desire for more and for greater. We don’t desire to just barely make it or just get by, we desire to have more and this desire is appropriate because abundant living is God’s will for our lives. However, for many we don’t experience more (and often experience less) because we lack an abundance mindset. In a book I’m reading called Hello Tomorrow by Cindy Trimm, she quotes Darren Hardy saying “An abundance mindset comes from appreciating all you already have and all that you already are. It’s the attitude of gratitude that will completely shift your reality.” In other words, in order to have an abundance mindset, you must have a thanksgiving in your heart. This means I must learn to appreciate the things I have because if I don’t learn to appreciate home or apartment I’m currently living in, I cannot position myself to see greater. Because we cannot see greater if we cannot see the greatness we already possess in our lives.
The abundant living that Jesus referred spoke of in John 10:10 is an example of an expanding life. But in order to see expansion, we must give thanks. In his letters, Apostle Paul often encourages believers to be thankful or give thanks. In our focus text for today (1 Thess 5:16-18), he instructs us to "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” Why does he say “rejoice always”? Because our naturally proclivity as humans is to point out the negative. We have no trouble pointing out what’s wrong or what didn’t go right, but if we would make it a regular habit in our everyday living to tell God “Thank you!”, this would foster expansion in our lives. Something powerful happens when, in spite of our circumstances, what I’m going through or what it looks like, I make a conscious decision to have joy. This is possible because the joy that I have, the world did not give it to me, thus the world has no authority to take it away. Therefore, I choose to "rejoice always” – when it’s good, when it’s bad, when I’m struggling or walking in overflow.
Apostle Paul reinforces this need to rejoice always by encouraging continual prayer. This directly aligns with our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Our theme and key focus is “Expansion.” If we want to be successful in this time of fasting and prayer, we must walk in continual thankfulness. This is essential because we’re seeking God for expansion in our lives, however we must be able to recognize the abundance that’s already in our lives. You may not have what you feel you should have but you should be thankful for all that you do have. You may desire a Mercedes Benz or even a brand new Hyundai but if you have a 1998 Toyota Corolla in your driveway, you ought to give God praise for the car that you have just like it’s the one that you desire. There’s someone who’s catching an Uber, riding a bike or even walking to their destination and would be thankful to have what you have. If you can cultivate an attitude of gratitude, Darren Hardy said it will “shift your reality.”
Yesterday we focused on expansion in our “thinking" and today we’re focusing on expanding our “thanking.” The reason why is because if we would align our thoughts with God’s goodness, we can align our praises for His greatness. When I was a kid, I would hear it sang this way in the church, “When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that He’s done for me, my soul cries out 'hallelujah!’ I thank God for saving me.” Spend time thinking about what God has done for you in your life and all that you’re grateful for and begin to practice habit of gratitude. I believe that in turn, you will begin to experience expansion in your life.
Perhaps you’re saying, “Pastor, it’s so hard to see the good right now. It’s so hard to see the positive.” My encouragement to you is to still give Him thanks. Apostle Paul told us to “Rejoice always, pray continually” and "give thanks in all circumstances”, but why? Because "this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God knows that it gets difficult. He knows that it gets hard sometimes. But He’s also understands that if we’re not careful of how we think, we will miss the fact that our thoughts run our lives. I don’t want thoughts of sorrow, frustration, anger or disappointment to run my life. Instead, I want thanksgiving to shape and motivate my life. When I have an abundance in my praise, I will experience abundance in every area of my life.
Prayer Focus: That you would cultivate expansion in your thanksgiving and praise so that you would experience expansion in your life.
I'm praying for you and with you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
Did you know that Thryve Church prays together 365 days a year? Join us Monday-Friday at 6:30am & Saturdays at 8am for "Prayer at the Altar" by dialing 339-207-7471 and then join us Sundays at 11am for Worship Service! Learn More