by Carla Williams
We’re in a 4-part blog series on using this Thanksgiving season to be intentionally missional. And what’s more quintessentially Thanksgiving than prayers of gratitude?
Our appreciation usually encompasses the same types of things. We’re happy that our family can be together for the holiday – or that we’re all safe, healthy, employed, etc. We sometimes express gratitude for our freedoms, our relationships, our growth, and our salvation. And, of course, we’re thankful for the food.
But have you ever intentionally chosen to be thankful in a global way? Here are some suggestions to get you started this year!
Thank God for Persecution
Thank God for the persecuted church!
What?! Don’t you mean pray for persecution to stop? Well, no.
Don’t get me wrong; definitely pray for the endurance and witness of those who are in the oppressive throes of persecution.
But in this season of intentional gratitude, we need to be on our knees in outright praise of how God is using violent persecution in some very dangerous parts of the world to grow up thriving, sacrificial, sanctified churches.
The men, women, and children who are truly experiencing targeted persecution for their faith are revealing grace, commitment, and forgiveness to the world. They are joining in the sufferings of Christ. What could be greater?
Jesus warned his followers that this world would contain trouble. But He has overcome the world. (John 16:33) And so, we praise!
As we turn our hearts toward gratitude, let’s be certain to remember the situations that show His Holy Bride, ready to follow Christ even into death.
Praise God for growth and multiplication in the Kingdom of God!
Thank God for Kingdom Growth
As you’re thanking God for supremely succulent sweet potato casserole, how about adding some other items for praise?
Even though more and more nations are closing their borders to missionaries, the Gospel is reaching into the world like never before.
Rapid technological advances, committed global Christians, and the unquenchable Holy Spirit are combining to draw men and women to Christ around the world.
It’s fathomable that every people group could be reached with the Gospel in our lifetime. Let that sink in.
Even within the humble reach of Team Expansion, we are seeing unprescedented growth in baptisms, disciples, and churches.
So let’s expand your thankfulness. Praise God for the areas where the Gospel is being proclaimed for the very first time. Thank Him for the remote villages who finally understand their true hope. Worship Him for the men, women, and children who have experienced grace when all they’d known was darkness.
And while you’re at it, there’s no Thanksgiving rule that says you can’t also beg God to intercede on behalf of all those who still don’t know Him.
Pray the Psalms
Use the psalms to express prayers of gratitude.
David and the other psalmists had a special way of integrating thankfulness into even their songs of doubt, fear, oppression, and heartache. And they often expressed the assurance that others would see God’s glory and be thankful, too.
That’s where missions comes in. This year, take a cue from the Psalm gang. It won’t take you long to find some Psalms that inspire your gratitude – and turn your heart toward the whole world experiencing that same hope.
Here’s one to get you started:
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100)
For more ideas about being missions-minded this Thanksgiving, check out the other blogs in this series: Include Outsiders | Serve Instead | Write a Missionary
