Today, I simply want to suggest a way to be more in tune with God. A way to remember Him more throughout the day and bring Him into the details of our lives. A way to be more aware of His presence and activity in our lives.

Ephesians 5:18-20 says:

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:16-17 says:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Did you see it?

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything

giving thanks to God the Father through him

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

Want to know God’s will? It’s to give thanks. To Him. Always. In all circumstances.

Can’t get too much more clear than that, huh?

Here in the United States, we’re just 16 days from Thanksgiving, a day to express our thanks and gratitude to God for how He has blessed us. Thanksgiving or giving thanks was never meant to happen just once a year though. The New Testament is crystal clear–we are to give thanks. Continually. For everything. It is God’s will for us.

So let me suggest a way to continually pray and give thanks. And let me challenge you implement this over the next 16 days leading up to Thanksgiving Day. See if you feel more in tune with God. See if you’re more aware of His presence in your life and His goodness toward you. Here’s what you’ll do:

From the time you wake up in the morning until the time you go to bed at night, thank God for as many things as you can.

It might look like this…

• Father, thank you for the bed You gave me to sleep in last night.
• Blessed (means to praise or “to kneel”) are You O Lord our God, for giving me the strength to get out of bed.
• Lord, I praise You for giving me a safe place to live.
• Thank you, Father, for providing my breakfast today. Bless You for making cinnamon rolls smell so good.
• Father, thank you for coffee.
• Lord, thank you for clean water and for how good a hot shower feels.
• Father, I praise You for a car that gets me to the job You provided.
• I praise and thank You for my wife and children. You have blessed me greatly.
• Blessed are You O God, for designing our ears so that we can enjoy music.
• O Lord, what an amazing sunset–thank You for reminding me of how beautiful and awesome You are.
• Blessed are You O Lord, for revealing Yourself to us through Your creation and through Your word.
• Jesus, thank You for taking the penalty for my sin upon Yourself.
• Father, thank You for this meeting I’m in.
• Lord, I praise You for giving others the intelligence to invent computers, so we don’t have to use typewriters any more.

You can thank Him silently. You can whisper your thanks. Or you can speak out loud and share your thanks with those around you. Do whatever you’d like. Just do it continually.

I wonder how different our attitudes would be if we cultivated a thankful heart rather than a complaining one. How might God choose to show up in our lives if we’re continually thanking Him? Do you think we might feel more peace and less anxiety if we chose to be thankful to God instead of worrying about how our needs will be met?

Giving thanks to God. Always. In all circumstances.

For 16 days.

Will you do it?