With Thanksgiving

“Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7


Do Bible verses ever roll right off your tongue, in the rhythm of a song, flowing and beautiful… yet familiar and lifeless? Not unlike the times in my car when a great song comes on the radio. I pipe up - “Yes! I love this song.” As the first few stanzas play, I sing along with fervor. However, a minute or two down the road, I realize I’m still singing, but not comprehending, not processing the words. I’m detached from the song.

Sadly, I’ve become detached from the song of God’s Word, from the song of Philippians 4:6-7. Until this morning.

As my friend Julianna and I sat in a coffee shop stewing over these verses, a truth was revealed, despite the familiarity of the words and the unexpectant state of my heart.

This truth was imbedded in the phrase “with thanksgiving.”

In years past, I repeatedly heard the acronym A.C.T.S. as a model for prayer, a practical application intended to produce a more complete and God-honoring prayer life. A is for Adoration - a time of praising God for who He is; C is for Confession – a time of repentance; T is for Thanksgiving – worshipping God for His many blessings; and S is for Supplication – the presentation of requests. Each letter describes a different portion of the prayer time. T is for Thanksgiving.

But portions are not what Philippians 4 describes. Thanksgiving is not a part of our prayer; it is the heart of our prayer. Thanksgiving is not a separate section; it is the driving force. Thanksgiving is not a brief listing of blessings; it is the statement of the heart. When I confess, I confess with thanksgiving. When I adore, I adore with thanksgiving. When I present my requests, I present with thanksgiving. When I pour out my heart, I pour with thanksgiving. When things are good, when things are ugly, if I’m feeling joyful, if I’m feeling confused – I pray all with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is the perspective in prayer. It is the death of self and the realization of God. It is the knowledge of the eternal pervading the worry of the temporal. It is the glory of God replacing the exaltation of self. It is hope. Pure and simple.

And the results? Peace. A peace that guards the heart and protects the mind. A peace that goes beyond comprehension. A peace that changes life. Changes me.