Leeds Vineyard

Gratitude

 
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5: 18
 
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7
 
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4: 6 – 7
 
Why is this exhortation to be thankful so important?  And why is it so deeply relevant to us after two stressful years in a pandemic?
 
Gratitude is a powerful weapon in dispelling negativity and raising our awareness of where our God – who is love - is at work in the world.  Negativity can make us resentful, bitter, and it can lead us towards despair.  It can become its own voice; telling who we are, and what we are worth, and what others are worth. Dallas Willard suggests that the practice of thankfulness disciplines us to see the light. It disciplines us to hear a different voice. 
 
Gratitude is actually the antidote for many of our negative emotions and it helps us battle anger, depression and anxiety.  It doesn’t mean we have to deny our suffering or pain, but it helps us see beyond these. 
 
The Scriptures teach us that there is hope, joy and peace: practicing thankfulness helps us to see and experience this truth. It helps us to see what God is doing and where God is going; bringing us back in rhythm with God’s Spirit.
 
Gratitude Practices

  • Take time each day to express your gratitude to God for the blessings in your life.  You may want to keep a gratitude journal.
  • Choose a bible verse that focusses on an aspect of what God has done for you that you are grateful for. Use it as the basis of a gratitude prayer and keep returning to it through the day.
  • Bring to mind 2 or 3 people whom you have seen today. What do you know about them that you are grateful for? When you next see them, tell them something about them that you’re grateful for.
  • Focus on yourself. What are you grateful for about you? Where have you seen God at work in your life for which you can say ‘Thank you God’? 
  • Spend time in nature.  What do you observe that can lead you to a prayer of wonder?
  • When you find yourself negative, critical or anxious, turn to prayer.  Hand your burdens to the Father who loves you and ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you to thankfulness. Express your gratitude and watch expectantly to see God at work in the situation.

 
You may also find these gratitude meditations helpful:
 
https://www.vineyardchurches.org.uk/spiritual-formation/gratitude-exercise/
https://dallaswillardcenter.com/gratitude-meditations/
https://bridgetown.church/teaching/bridgetown-daily/practice-gratitude/
 
-
 
This article has drawn on the websites below:
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-is-the-power-of-gratitude.html
https://thefirstmennonitechurch.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/the_light_and_rhythm_of_thankfulness.pdf
https://thewell.intervarsity.org/spiritual-formation/developing-discipline-gratitude