I'M GRATEFUL - I dare you to shout that!

Day 5: January 8th, 2021

GRATITUDE FOR THE PAST YEAR ~ The Language of GRATITUDE

“Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.”

Mark 5:19 NIV

Jesus spoke these words after casting demons out of a man from Gadarene. His command was simple: Go and tell others what I have done for you. What a powerful reminder this gives us of the need to express our thanks to God. Not just in private thanksgiving; but also in public acknowledgement of God’s goodness. All believers face the danger of forgetting “how much the Lord has done for us.” (2nd Peter 1:9) When this occurs, we may grow timid in communicating gratitude both to God and to man. Our season of prayer and fasting is therefore a great opportunity for us to strengthen and renew a spirit of gratitude.

Communicating the Language of Gratitude is important for several reasons:

1. It makes us more reliant on God. Romans 1:21 NIV tells of those who “… although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him.” Thankfulness occurs inwardly, in what our heart expresses. Glorifying God happens publicly, in what our mouth confesses. Public expressionsof gratitude strengthen one’s commitment to God while counteracting our human tendency to self-sufficiency and self-reliance.

2. It has a profound impact on those around us. Family and friends need to hear that our successes are not of our own making, but that we are beneficiaries of the goodness of God. Read David’s words in 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 to see how his gratitude set in motion a great celebration of sacrifice and praise among God’s people.

Following David’s example, take the time to identify some examples of God’s goodness to you and then express your gratitude to God in the presence of a friend or family members.

Prayer Focus: Begin to intercede for your family members who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Pray for boldness and the opportunity to share with them your testimony of God’s work in your life.