Give Thanks Daily
By Joyce D. Sohl
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, Most High; to proclaim your loyal love in the morning, your faithfulness at nighttime with the ten-stringed harp, with the melody of the lyre because you’ve made me happy, Lord, by your acts. I sing with joy because of your handiwork. Psalm 92:1-4 The Common English Bible
Both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament challenge us to give thanks daily for all God has done for us. Gratitude is part of our inner being; it shapes our attitude toward life; and motivates us to give to others. Gratitude is not an optional response for a Christian. Let us offer to thanks to God as we reflect on the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth” by Folliot S. Pierpoint, 1864.
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
God’s gift of creation is ever before us. We experience creation with all our senses. What have you heard, seen or smelled recently for which you give thanks to God? Offer a prayer of thanksgiving.
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent child,
friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
God’s love is often revealed to us through expressions of love and friendship in our family and community. What special things have happened to you because of someone caring for you for which you give thanks to God? Offer a prayer of thanksgiving and renew your commitment to help someone today.
For thy church, that evermore lifteth holy hands above,
offering up on every shore her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth, and joy in heaven;
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Think of your local church and the world-wide fellowship of believers. Give thanks for pastors and members, for seekers and faithful, for doubters and witnesses. Remind yourself that the Good News is available to all people – no one is excluded. Give thanks for the gift of Jesus as Savior of a broken world and for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us our journey.
Let everyday be a day of thanksgiving. Give thanks and bless God’s name always.
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, and quarterly retreats and art exhibits.