What makes your heart overflow with gratitude to God?
Lately, I’ve been thinking about everything I’m grateful for. There are so many challenges we’re facing these days, both individual and collective. Tensions are escalating in various hot spots around the world and it seems we’re going the opposite direction of peace and brotherly love. When I let my life overflow with gratitude, it gives me hope in the midst of all these challenges.
It’s during times like this, and especially at the Thanksgiving season, that I like to remember and be grateful for all the good that I personally have experienced or witnessed, but also to be grateful for all the good going on in the world, and there is plenty. There are so many unsung heroes, loving and helping their neighbors in large and small ways.
When I’m troubled…
When I’m troubled about what’s going on in the world, or my own life, over and over again, I’ve found that expressing gratitude helps get me refocused on God and brings some peace of mind. Gratitude helps clear the air so my heart can breathe more freely.
A couple of weeks ago, I published a podcast about gratitude: Episode 213: How to Be Grateful in Every Situation. In it I shared a few examples of various places in the Bible which emphasized the importance of gratitude. This week I’m going to dig a little deeper on this whole idea of gratitude.
If you’re listening to The Bible Speaks to You Podcast, you’re probably already a pretty grateful type of person. But I really believe, wherever we are on the scale of expressing gratitude, we all need to broaden and deepen our gratitude practice, but not just for the good things that have come into our lives, although that’s very important.
However grateful you are and however much gratitude you actively express, the world is crying out for help. And gratitude opens the curtains on the window so we can see, express, and experience more of God’s love actively in the world.
Hearts in the Bible overflow with gratitude
There are so many times and ways gratitude is expressed in the Bible and there’s no way I can cover them here. But in reading and praying about them—yes, I looked up all the Bible verses I could find when someone expressed gratitude, gave thanks, or encouraged others, including us, to do so—I realized how often gratitude was pivotal in resolving a crisis, both on an individual level as well as collectively.
As you think about the various ways of giving thanks that are in the Bible, think how you can apply them in your own life as well as to the whole world.
The first time I could find in the Bible an expression of thanks refers to what is called a “thank offering” or the “sacrifice of thanksgiving.” This relates to when the Children of Israel were in the wilderness after they left Egypt.
‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in. Leviticus 7:12 NIV
If you want to read more in Leviticus, Chapter 7, it goes into a lot more detail about this thank offering starting in verse 12. This was an early way for the children of Israel to start expressing their thanks to God. It was an expression of gratitude made by individuals.
Collective gratitude
But there are also times when collective thanks is given.
When King David brought the Arc of the Covenant back to Jerusalem from Obed-edom’s house, David appointed people to collectively thank God.
They brought the Ark of God and placed it inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD. David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship before the Ark of the LORD—to invoke his blessings, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.
On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:
Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.” 1 Chronicles 16:1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 34, 35 NIV
You can read the whole song here.
Solomon and the Temple
Something very similar happened when King Solomon built the Temple and brought the Arc of the Covenant into it.
The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God. 2 Chronicles 5:13, 14 NIV
Now, you can’t exactly bring the Arc of the Covenant into your church literally, but what if we did this spiritually? What if you so revered the 10 Commandments and what they represent of God’s love for us, and expressed such public gratitude that your church was filled with the presence of God that you just couldn’t do business as usual?
That’s what happened when they brought the Arc of the Covenant into the Temple that Solomon had built.
Jehoshaphat commands thanks to God
Another type of collective gratitude that happened on more than one occasion was expressed when Israel was being besieged by warring nations.
Here’s just one example, when the Moabites and Ammonites came to wage war with King Jehoshaphat:
Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”
As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 2 Chronicles 20:14, 15, 21, 22 NIV
That could be pretty relevant in today’s world, couldn’t it? What would happen if a country that was being attacked, instead of fighting back, had all their soldiers and citizens just start singing praises and songs of gratitude to God?
Gratitude when the Temple and wall around Jerusalem are rebuilt
Later on, when the Israelites rebuilt the foundation of the Temple in Jerusalem that Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed, they gave thanks collectively.
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:11 NIV
Then when Nehemiah was dedicating the newly rebuilt wall around Jerusalem, there was also a powerful collective giving of thanks.
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.
I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. Nehemiah 12:27, 31 NIV
When your church has had a major victory, or has rebuilt, or reconstituted itself, and rededicated itself, do you collectively praise and thank God the way Nehemiah had the people do, the way they did with Ezra?
It’s something to think about.
Overflow with gratitude when God rebuilds our wastelands
This kind of sounds like what Isaiah is talking about.
The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51:3 NIV
If you ever feel like your life, your business, your church, your country, or the whole world is in ruins and nothing more than a wasteland, remember this promise that God will restore wholeness and your heart, not just you individually, but collectively, your hearts will be filled with thanksgiving and joyful singing.
Overflow with gratitude and singing
In fact, singing and music are often ways gratitude is expressed in the Bible. Here are just a few examples of this.
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17 NIV
Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. Psalm 147:7 NIV
From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. Jeremiah 30:19 NIV
This is what the LORD says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.” Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the LORD. Jeremiah 33:10, 11 NIV
Here, Jeremiah affirms God’s promise of restoration, just as Isaiah did. Do you see a pattern here?
All these examples of gratitude are not just pleasant little prayers repeating a few good things God has done.
These folks are praising and thanking God with their whole being, individually and collectively, and publicly. This is powerful.
How to show your gratitude
So, how can we follow these examples? We say we’re grateful to God for all He has done. But how do we express that gratitude? We get hints in the Psalms of what else we can do besides just say “Thank You” to God.
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1 NIV
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. Psalm 35:18 NIV
Gratitude is more than just remembering to thank God when something good happens. It’s really more of a mindset, a lifestyle, which doesn’t change depending on circumstances.
Daniel and gratitude
Daniel is great example of someone who was grateful no matter what came his way. When God revealed to him Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its meaning, which none of the Chaldean wise men could do, Daniel thanked God. Daniel was in a tight spot because Nebuchadnezzar was going to kill all the wise men, including Daniel, if the dream wasn’t revealed and interpreted. Of course, God did reveal what the dream was and what it meant.
I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” Daniel 2:23 NIV
Years later, when Daniel found out that a decree had been signed by King Darius that would throw into the den of lions anyone who prayed to or petitioned a person or god besides the king, Daniel kept praying to the LORD, as he had always done. Nothing could stop him from praising and thanking God.
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 NIV
This is such a great example for us to give thanks to God under whatever circumstances we find ourselves.
What do Jonah and Jesus have in common expressing thanks
In Episode 213 two weeks ago, I mentioned Jonah thanking God while he was in the belly of the great fish (see Jonah 2:9 below). Jonah certainly fits into the category of thanking God right in the middle of challenging situations.
But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’” Jonah 2:9 NIV
And talk about giving thanks under challenging situations, think of Jesus at the Last Supper, when he knew that in just a few hours he would be arrested, then put on trial, and crucified.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.” Matthew 26:26, 27 NIV
Can you give the same sincere thanks to God like Daniel, Jonah, and Jesus did when you’re in the middle of a challenge?
Gratitude for the little you have
There are so many other times Jesus expressed gratitude. Think of the times he fed 5,000 and 4,000 people (Mark 6:41 and Mark 8:6, 7; see below). Each time he took the few loaves of bread and small amount of fish and gave thanks. I mentioned this also in Episode 213 so I won’t go into detail but it’s a lesson for us to be grateful for what we have, even if it doesn’t seem like enough to meet our needs.
A couple of years ago I did a whole episode called What Was Jesus Thankful for? So I’m not going to talk about all the other times Jesus expressed gratitude. I’ll have that link in the show notes. It was Episode 111: What Was Jesus Thankful for?
Ways not to be grateful
Unfortunately, sometimes we’re grateful for things that are not really appropriate. Jesus teaches us this lesson in his parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went into the Temple to pray. But the Pharisee’s gratitude was warped by his self-righteousness. If there’s a lesson we need to learn from that story, let us be humble and learn it.
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. Luke 18:11 NIV
I’ll let you think about that one. Take a moment and see if there’s a lesson of any kind here for you.
Overflow with gratitude for recognizing Christ
One more quick example of gratitude being expressed in regards to Jesus. Mary and Joseph took Jesus, still a new born, to Jerusalem to present him to God in the Temple.
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38 NIV
Anna was grateful she had seen the Messiah. Do you and I thank God with such devotion as Anna did, that we have recognized Jesus as the Messiah?
Saul’s gratitude
There are so many more examples of gratitude in the Bible.
Remember when Saul was on the ship headed to Rome and there had been a terrible storm? No one had eaten for days. They were all scared they would die. But Paul gave thanks. His calm assurance that all would be well encouraged and strengthened everyone there.
Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Acts 27:34-36 NIV
Paul was a man full of gratitude and expressed it every chance he got, and encouraged others to do the same.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12 NIV
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. Romans 6:17 NIV
Are you grateful to the core of your being for what God has created you for and called you to do? Do you thank God for everyone who follows Jesus?
Increase your gratitude
We need to deeply ponder and increase our gratitude for all Christ has done for us.
Paul puts it this way.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV
And what should be the measure and result of all this gratitude? Paul explains what the natural consequences of heartfelt gratitude are.
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15 NIV
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:11, 15 NIV
Does your heart overflow with gratitude?
Would you describe your gratitude as overflowing “to the glory of God”?
Whenever Paul wrote a letter to the churches or an individual, he always said how grateful he was for them. Here are a couple of examples.
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16 NIV
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 1 Thessalonians 3:9 NIV
Do you always let the people you’re communicating with know how grateful you are for them?
Paul saw the bigger picture
Paul was a visionary, who saw far beyond his own geography and time period. He saw the bigger need in the world then and now when he wrote to Timothy,
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 1 Timothy 2:1 NIV
That’s pretty all-inclusive, isn’t it? Paul sums up how important gratitude is in his letter to the Colossians.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 NIV
Again, this is a mindset. This is a way of life.
Being grateful for God
As important as it is to thank God for specific people and circumstances, sometimes we just need to thank God for being God. This kind of gratitude transcends time and place and opens our eyes to see God’s glory in earth and heaven.
And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. Revelation 11:16, 17 NIV
So there you have just a slice of the way people express gratitude in the Bible. This has been almost a litany of Bible verses about gratitude. But I’ve shared it his way to encourage you in finding more ways to be grateful in your own life.
In thinking of all these examples, I am more and more grateful for all the ways God has revealed Himself to people in the Bible, and throughout history. I’m grateful for how God has revealed Himself to you, and how God will continue to reveal Himself to you.
How will you be grateful today and every day?
Photo credit: Debby Hudson
_____________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Contact him here.
Make a donation to support the show
_____________
Bible References
Leviticus 7:12 NIV
12 ‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in.
1 Chronicles 16:1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 34, 35 NIV
1 They brought the Ark of God and placed it inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.
2 When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
4 David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship before the Ark of the LORD—to invoke his blessings, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.
7 On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:
8 Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.
34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.”
2 Chronicles 5:13, 14 NIV
13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud,
14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.
2 Chronicles 20:14, 15, 21, 22 NIV
14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”
22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
Ezra 3:11 NIV
11 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Nehemiah 12:27, 31 NIV
27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.
31 I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks.
Isaiah 51:3 NIV
3 The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
Psalm 7:17 NIV
17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 147:7 NIV
7 Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.
Jeremiah 30:19 NIV
19 From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.
Jeremiah 33:10, 11 NIV
10 “This is what the LORD says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.” Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more
11 the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the LORD.
Psalm 9:1 NIV
1 I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 35:18 NIV
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.
Daniel 2:23 NIV
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Daniel 6:10 NIV
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Jonah 2:9 NIV
But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ ”
Matthew 26:26, 27 NIV
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
Mark 6:41 NIV
41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.
Mark 8:6, 7 NIV
6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so.
7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.
Luke 18:11 NIV
11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
Luke 2:36-38 NIV
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Acts 27:34-36 NIV
34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.”
35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.
1 Timothy 1:12 NIV
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
Romans 6:17 NIV
17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:15 NIV
15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 9:11, 15 NIV
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:15 NIV
15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 9:11, 15 NIV
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Ephesians 1:16 NIV
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
1 Thessalonians 3:9 NIV
9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
1 Timothy 2:1 NIV
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
Colossians 3:17 NIV
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 4:2 NIV
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Revelation 11:16, 17 NIV
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
