Are you one whose parent or grandparent taught you the art of writing a thank-you card? Like most of us, you probably learned early to say “please” and “thank you” as part of everyday interactions. Perhaps you realize that you’re just generally grateful for a good, happy life. We humans have been expressing gratitude for about as long as we’ve existed.
Genesis tells us that Abel expressed gratitude for his growing flock. The Exodus story relates how Miriam led the Israelites in a dance and song to show their gratefulness for God’s delivering them from oppression and slavery in Egypt. The Gospels record that Jesus gave thanks when he ate. St. Paul reminded the Thessalonians to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Just about everywhere we turn in the Bible, we’re reminded to be thankful for all that God does in our lives.
The Church has incorporated thankfulness into its public worship:
- During the Prayers of the People, there is always a time when the community gives thanks for our blessings — and each of us can name our own thankfulness aloud or silently
- Every prayer service throughout the day (often known as “praying the hours”) includes a Prayer of Thanksgiving
- The Greek word that we transliterate as “Eucharist” literally means “thanksgiving,” and many denominations call the Eucharistic Prayer “The Great Thanksgiving”
- Not only does the Eucharistic Prayer remind us that Jesus “gave thanks,” it also includes language where we, the Church, acknowledge that we are offering our thanks as we celebrate the sacrament
The same is true of our personal prayer lives: We also express our gratitude for what God has done in our lives. Quite often, we’re doing it in response to how God has moved in our lives and in the lives of loved ones and friends in response to our prayers. Other times it’s literally just the heartfelt, “Thank God!” that we say when we recognize an answer to prayer.
As we pause to pray, we should remember that we don’t have to bring only our needs, cares, and concerns. We should also always give thanks. When we do so, we join the song of Miriam, the witness of Paul, and the example of Jesus himself — offering to God not only what is heavy on our heart, but also what is full.
Gratitude doesn’t require perfect circumstances. It simply asks us to pay attention. And in that attention, something shifts. What was ordinary becomes meaningful. What was unnoticed becomes a gift. What was taken for granted becomes something we receive again — this time, with awareness.