Paul tells us in Philippians … we are to be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petition WITH THANKSGIVING. to make our requests.. Philippians 4:6

There are so many things we are asking God for today. We ask for His help with temptations, difficulties, emergencies and financial needs; yet how often as we close our prayers do we just say,  “We give you thanks in Jesus name” without truly being grateful?

I am struck with the fact that Jesus, who is the creator of all things,and was there at the birth of our planet, stopped and gave thanks.

Then He took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, He broke them and gave them to the disciples, …. Matthew 15:36

For Jesus this was not a one time example setting moment. Jesus regularly was heard being thankful. Jesus thanked the Father for hearing Him, before He called Lazarus from the tomb. When the disciples came back from their first preaching tour, He gave thanks that God had showed himself to them. When Jesus took the bread and the cup at the last supper, He paused and gave thanks. Jesus lived and died a life filled to overflowing with thankfulness. His thanksgiving wasn’t just for a holiday a religious ritual, or a show for others. The thankful heart of Jesus was woven into every detail of His very nature. This might be a good moment to pause this morning and ask God for His mercy to forgive our ungratefulness, and to teach us to be like Jesus: who was always thankful!