We are to come to God “with thanksgiving” (also 1 Th. 5:18). Our outpouring in prayer is not to be an unmixed one of troubles and needs only. Don’t come unmindful of God’s past mercies, His present blessings, or His exceeding precious promises! In other words, don’t come as if you have not been cared for by Him! Rather, come acknowledging His great grace to you “in everything”!
Because many often pray to God amiss, with complaints or murmurings, as though they had just ground for accusing Him, while others cannot brook delay if He does not immediately obey their wishes, Paul joins thanksgiving with prayer. It is as though he has said that those things which are necessary for us ought to be desired from the Lord in such a way that we nevertheless subject our affections to His will, and give thanks while asking. And, unquestionably, gratitude will have the effect upon us that the will of God will be the sum of our desires. (Calvin).
We are to pour out our requests “with attitude,” an attitude of gratitude. “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2). Thankless prayers have no wings.
Luther observed that our miseries always have a voice to God, but seldom do our mercies! It is true! Like Israel of old a momentary or even extended difficulty or disturbance or deprivation is able to bury the million mercies that attend and surround us. Did I say “million”? I have understated the matter. The mercies we have received and possess in Christ are infinitely greater than all the miseries and troubles upon which we so readily ruminate. Paul rightly declared that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18).
But is it not also true of that what we presently possess in Christ: imputed righteousness, full forgiveness, adoption as sons, renewed hearts, an indwelling Spirit, peace with God, freedom from sin’s bondage, divine sanctification, spiritual illumination and wisdom, etc.? Our troubles often carry so much weight because the mercies of God do not!
Anxiety is often attended with spiritual amnesia of God’s goodness and generosity. Anxiety robs us of our spiritual sanity and memory. Thankfulness sweetens the waters embittered by anxiety. Sometimes we come to God as if we had received nothing from Him but trouble and woe. Anxiety is not removed by accusing God. It is not removed by anger with God. We are to remember His mercies to us.
Pour out His praises. We must come with a recognition and trust in God’s goodness toward us. I must remember His care for me. Unload your burdens believing that He does care and He will hear and He will order all things well. Unload your cares thanking Him for knowing them already and for sustaining and helping you thus far. He has already given countless undeserved and unsought blessings. Will you cry to Him as if He had given none!?! Now if anyone knew the value of this resource it must have been the apostle. He is in jail, his life may be taken at any moment, the concerns of the church are always upon him, yet as he writes this letter there is no anxiety in it.
To begin by praising God for the fact that in this situation, as it is, He is so mightily God–such a beginning is the end of anxiety. To be anxious means that we ourselves suffer, ourselves groan, ourselves seek to see ahead. Thanksgiving means giving God the glory in everything, making room for Him, casting our care on Him, letting it be His care. (Markus Barth).
Blessings in Him through Whom All Blessings Flow
