Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. – Psalm 107:1

In my book Betrayed by God? I share a story about a summer day that was overcast—in the sky and in my heart. When I went for a walk near my home, the gloomy weather mirrored my mood. For some reason, I decided to find pictures in the clouds above me, just as I used to when I was little. However, when I started my game, everything I saw in the fluffy shapes looked mean. Everything had teeth. It was as if a violent zoo had filled up the heavens. A handful of beasties snarled at me from above. “Great—that’s just what I need,” I thought.

On my return trip home, I decided to praise God as an antidote to my cranky attitude. I thanked Him for bringing good out of what was bothering me, for being in control, for loving me—and I told Him how awesome He is.

Suddenly the clouds—both internally and externally—were transformed. And wouldn’t you know it? My next glance at the sky looked different! A laughing girl with pigtails came into view, and then a happy hippo chasing a fish caught my eye. Suddenly the entire sky above me was filled with frolicking animals and at least a half-dozen giggling babies lying on their backs. Oh! Joyous praise! When it filled my mouth, the nasty external—and internal—weather was changed. I felt joy!

This brings me to an important point about prayer: When we pray about what ails us, or pour out our complaint to the Lord about what is bothering us, let’s not just make requests of God—let’s also give Him thanks. Why? Because thanksgiving is the “I believe” of prayer. If I pour out my anguish to God without being thankful, I experience despair; but when I thank God for what He has done and what He’s going to do, I experience hope. I experience peace. This is the promise of Philippians 4:7. So when we experience nasty internal or external weather, let’s not forget to follow up our petitions with a good dose of thanksgiving.

How can you practice gratitude today while you lift your petitions to Christ?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:6-7

How can you practice gratitude today while you lift your petitions to Christ?

From Two Minutes in the Bible for Women by Shana Schutte with Boyd Bailey