II Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you.
Oftentimes in November, churches will have a time of praise and gratitude where people will be encouraged to share the things for which they are thankful. I remember that as a kid it was often disappointing to me. Adults would thank God for things like health, food, shelter, a free country, and the church, and I always thought, “If I got a new pair of skis, then that is something I would be thankful for. But who doesn’t have food? Everyone has food!” Now which is more valuable, food or a pair of skis? The answer is food, but if you always had food and never knew any lack, then you would be tempted to move on to the next thing including so many of the luxuries we enjoy.
It is almost impossible to be grateful for something you have always had. People who are grateful knew a time when they didn’t have what they have. Or, artificially, but still importantly, people who are grateful compare what they have with those who have less, realizing that not everyone has the blessings they have. It helps them to see what it is that they have.
You know, we are to pray for daily bread, yet most Americans have never done that because they don’t need to. Therefore, when they give thanks for their food, it is a habit, but perhaps not heartfelt. If you were starving, prayed to God for your daily bread, and saw God give it, wouldn’t you be grateful? Yes! But it is almost impossible to be thankful for things that we have always had.
That is why it is important to take note of the things or the people that we have always had but should never take for granted. In II Thessalonians 1:3 Paul says, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren.” It was an obligation. It was continual thanksgiving for these people. Verse 11 says, “Wherefore also we pray always for you.” He was continually thanking God for them, and he was continually praying to God for them.
In I Thessalonians 2:13 he says, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you.” So, gratitude and prayer are bookends of the same things. They are bookends of acknowledging God’s provision in your life. In one case, it is what you need, and in the other case, what you already have.
Let me encourage you to pray for those we take for granted. Think about your family, your pastor, your church, or the people with whom you work. These are people whom it is so easy to take for granted. We have always had them. Instead, today, let’s thank God for them. This will help us realize how much we have and how much we could not have. Let’s ask God for the things that we need concerning them. Gratitude helps us remember what we have, and prayer helps us see what we need.
Who should you thank God for today? Take the time and show your dependence upon God by thanking God for them and praying for them.