50 Acts of Thankfulness
Tim Argall, Executive Principal
Being thankful should be more than a fleeting moment — it should be a practice, a perspective, and an approach to life that can transform every day into one jam-packed with possibilities for extending our own experience of God’s blessing the direction of others.
As a reminder, here are a few (of the myriad) of Scripture references exhorting us to thankfulness – these are some of the Apostle Paul’s writings.
1 Thessalonians 5:18:
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:15:
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Colossians 3:17:
"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."
Philippians 4:6:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
In exhorting us to give thanks, Paul reminds us that being thankful is actually part of God's plan for us, that it is a peace-making habit, that God is in control in all circumstances – no matter how overwhelming they are.
Being thankful is an outcome of knowing God deeply, understanding more completely who He is, what He does and the absolute depth of His commitment to us as His people. Living as a thankful follower gives those around us a taste of all of this – an important part of our call to discipleship.
I was recently challenged – by a friend (who many would describe as a “prayer warrior") – to pray a thankfulness prayer once an hour for twelve consecutive hours. And, to complement that prayer, I was to express that gratitude through words or actions for each of those twelve hours (how hard could it be to give thanks 12 times and act thankfully 12 times?).
When I met with that friend a week later, I had to admit I’d failed – I couldn’t even do it for one day. I’d tried, but it proved to be harder than I thought it would be. He confided that it is a tough one, but that good and lasting change takes time, involves many false starts – but that ultimately taking on a posture of thankfulness in all things is an exhortation to flourishing. And – in blessing others through acts of thankfulness – we become agents of flourishing in the lives of others.
So, I set myself a new challenge – one I invite you to consider too. What would it look like to pray 50 prayers of thankfulness and couple it with 50 acts of thankfulness.
And, knowing it will take time – set myself a two-week period to achieve this the first time (that’s about 3.5 per day). And then, double down and see if it’s possible in a single week (that’s 7 per day)! So far, so good.
Why don’t you join me in this? Given the culture of 50 acts of kindness across the year we’ve been exploring as a community together this year, I wonder if linking it to thankfulness might be a way of making it more complete as an act of worship of God our creator.
Here’s some inspirational words from the Psalmist, to get you going.
Psalm 136
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever…
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm,
His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea asunder,
His love endures forever...
to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever…
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever
an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
What a great framework to start diving into 50 acts of thankfulness!
Shalom.