The Importance of Praise and Thanksgiving
Valerie invites us into the spiritual practice of praise and thanksgiving, especially during this holiday season.
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for the human race. For He has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things.”
In September 1620, 102 men, women, and children left England to sail to the new land known as America. By the Spring of the following year, over half of those people had died from illness and deprivation. The next Fall, after a successful harvest, the remaining pilgrims celebrated a three-day feast to thank God for his faithfulness and goodness to them. This is the origin of what we celebrate every 4th Thursday in November- Thanksgiving.
One of those pilgrims, William Bradford, who sailed on the Mayflower to America, quotes portions of several Psalms, including Psalm 107, in his journal regarding the journey that he had experienced. His journal entry is a praise and thanksgiving for God and what he had provided for them, even amid struggles and loss.
As we approach Thanksgiving 2023, over 400 years from the story of the pilgrims and our country’s beginnings, it seems like a good time to consider the importance of praise and thanksgiving, specifically to our creator, God.
Both praise and thanksgiving are commanded in the Bible, but there is an important difference. Prayer, worship, praise, and thanksgiving are often intertwined, but at its simplest, praise can be described as acknowledging and appreciating who God is, and thanksgiving is thanking God for things he has done.
Psalm 145:3 tells us, Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. (ESV)
We are commanded to praise God and know he is worthy of praise, but how often do we do it? Right now, can you think of any attributes of God worthy of praise? His faithfulness, provision, generosity, and patience are a few that come to my mind. The Bible is full of verses telling us of his attributes, and thinking about these is a wonderful way to know him better and grow in faith. When we take the time each day to praise him, it helps remind us that we are merely human and that He is a great God for us and with us. Sending this message to our souls is reassuring and can bring peace even in distress.
“We can always find a reason to praise. Situations change for better and for worse, but God’s worth never changes.”
We are also commanded to thank God for all he has done. Right now, can you think of things God has done or is doing in your life? Giving me breath to live, unlimited forgiveness, and hearing and answering my prayers are a few things that come to mind. Humans are forgetful, and it’s important that we remember to thank God for the things he has done for ourselves, others, and our world.
When we accept the invitation to praise and thank God, our thoughts focus on His power and goodness, among other things. In a world that is so often calling our attention to things that bring worry, anxiety, and distress, you can see how obeying these simple commands can bring good things to your mental health and the health of your very soul.
Entering into and participating in praise and thanksgiving is simply a choice. God’s commands are for our flourishing, but we are given the freedom to participate or not. When I look at the responses of people like William Bradford, who endured great hardship and yet are able to respond with praise and thanksgiving, I can see that being intentional to make these a part of my daily life is not only easy but they are also very valuable for a life well lived.
Here’s to a journey filled with praise and thanksgiving!