Church Life

The Power of Gratitude

Posted on by Adam North

Giving Thanks and Gaining Peace

“Thanksgiving is one of the best ways to keep yourselves in spiritual health.”   Charles Spurgeon

We are not as autonomous as we like to think, we are driven by the powerful effects of our habits and practices.  Any habit can be broken and replaced with a new habit, either for your ruin or restoration.  (Read The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, or You Are What you Love by James K.A. Smith)

As Christians we make habits of prayer and of reading the Word, that sustain us through difficult times. However, how often do we remember to be thankful?

The Apostle Paul, on prayer, says this in his letter to the church in Philippi: 

“6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Philippians 4 Verse 6 was the most popular Bible verse of 2024, according to the YouVersion Bible App. (https://www.youversion.com/press/youversions-verse-of-the-year-reflects-global-trend-of-seeking-peace-through-prayer/) That’s not surprising in a world where anxiety is increasing to devastating effect on people’s mental wellbeing.  As Christian’s we believe we can know a peace that surpasses our natural understanding of the what, where, why and what next of current world events.  And so we pray… yet how we pray is important. If we fixate on what we don’t have, and what we want, we can work against God’s desire for us to know peace.

A few verses later Paul says in his letter, 

“…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.” (Philippians 4:11b-12)

And to Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

What is his secret, how does he pray?  “…with thanksgiving…”.  Thanksgiving is a powerful habit to release the peace of God in this anxious world.  Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that the power of gratitude has been lauded by secular self-help gurus for its transformative power.

Bear with me here… Positive Psychology hosted an article in April 2019 that spoke of the psychological, physical and social benefits of gratitude as an antidote to chasing the ‘mirage’ of the indefinite pursuit of happiness (https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/).  This doesn’t mean prayer is of no benefit, it shows that the God who created as and wired us, wired us to benefit from gratitude, so tapping into our neuro-biology is honouring and respecting the way God made us, and working with God to release what he desires for us.  The Old Testament is full of commands to ‘Give Thanks’, and now modern science is confirming why our good God would want us to remember to do this.

Therefore, in 2025, why not cultivate an “Attitude of Gratitude”? Partner with God to release the peace and rest for your soul that Christ longs for us to have as we come to him (Matthew 11:28). All those who have faith in Christ, have so much to be grateful for, no matter what may come in the year ahead. Here are 20 things every Christian can be thankful for:

  1. We have the free gift of salvation (John 3:16)
  2. We are forgiven (Psalm 32:1)
  3. We have been set free (Galatians 5:1)
  4. We can know true soul rest in Christ (Matthew 11:28
  5. We have hope (Romans 15:13, Ephesians 2:11)
  6. We are not alone (Hebrews 13:5b)
  7. We have been chosen by God (Ephesians 1:11)
  8. We will be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17)
  9. We have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)
  10. We have every spiritual blessing in heaven in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3).
  11. Nothing can separate us from the love of  God (Romans 8:35)
  12. God is Sovereign (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)
  13. God is Good (Psalm 100:5)
  14. God will strengthen and uphold us (Isaiah 41:10)
  15. God will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19)
  16. We are made citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
  17. We have received grace upon grace (Hebrews 4:16)
  18. We have the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12)
  19. God hears our prayers (Jeremiah 33:3,Philippians 4:6)
  20. God works all things for good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)

Want to know more about Jesus? Need help developing new habits that bring you closer to God, why not come along to Christ Central Church at one of our two congregations in Portsmouth, we meet every Sunday. Or reach out, via the contact details below, we’d love to hear from you.

Adam North