As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him.
[From Let Gratitude Show You the Way: A 21-Day Devotional Guide, Herald House, 2012]
Gratitude often doesn’t come naturally or intuitively to us, so the spiritual discipline of gratitude has to be intentional and deliberately chosen and practiced. Like everything else it takes time, intention, and practice for us to get better at it.
Gratitude has been practiced as a spiritual discipline in the Christian faith for centuries. However, in recent years the science of gratitude has also been extensively researched revealing many personal and societal benefits to practicing gratitude daily. Try this five-minute gratitude practice and allow it to shape your perspective on the world.
Set aside an intentional time every day to:
- Read a daily reflection.
- Prayerfully reflect on your day (or previous day).
- Ask the question “What am I grateful for today?”
- Write it down.
Expressions of gratitude don’t need to be sappy and tearful, just sincere and heartfelt. It can be for the little and the big things in life; it can also be for the ordinary and the mundane.
First thing in the morning? Middle of the day? Last thing at night? It doesn't matter when. It matters that you make it the same time every day and you’re consistent.
The object of this practice isn’t to create a list; it’s to provide space for you to acknowledge God’s gifts in your life. Think of just one thing you’re grateful for, hold that it in your mind. Let gratitude grow. Then write it down listing three or four reasons why you’re grateful for it.
Don’t worry about spelling or grammar. The most important thing is to establish the habit of intentionally paying attention to gratitude.
Take your time. Become aware of the depth of your gratitude. Don’t hurry through this like it’s just another item on your to-do list.
Go for depth over breadth. Elaborating in detail about something carries more benefits than just a superficial list of many things.
Prayer Phrase
“For everything created by God is good” (1 Timothy 4:4).
Spiritual Practice
Joy of GratitudeStand, if possible, with arms outstretched. Imagine God filling your arms with all that you have: family, friends, and possessions. Hold out your arms until they feel tired. Now, bring your arms across your body. Place your hand over your heart and thank God for the abundance that fills your life. Sit for a time aware of that abundance. Then ask God to help you open your heart in gratitude and share freely with others.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.