In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6 NIV).
In his mercy, God answers desperate prayers. We can freely cry out to him in a crisis, even when our hearts are filled with fear and doubt. But even though he hears, this is not his ultimate desire for our prayers. Praying from a place of anxiety does nothing for our faith. And though these prayers are sometimes answered, our hearts are not filled with peace in the process.
God promises freedom from anxiety and offers to fill our hearts with the peace that passes understanding. But that only happens when we pray “with thanksgiving.” God responds to faith, and gratitude cultivates it. It puts us in a position of trust. It says, “Lord, I know who you are. I believe in your answer even before it comes. I can see the end of this story before it happens and thank you for it.” Praying with thanksgiving is praying with supreme confidence in the nature of God.
Aim to add thanks to every prayer you pray. Tell God you’re grateful for the answer, even if the answer is years down the road. Look with eyes of faith into his goodness and thank him for it. You’ll notice the difference in the power of your prayers and the answers that come in response.
