Gratefulness When Life Is Messy

In a few days, many of us will gather around a table to give thanks with family and friends. But as life goes, Thanksgiving may not be a time of cheer for all. As I thought about how to encourage my own soul this Thanksgiving, the Lord turned my heart to pray to him. I’ve seen pastor Tim Keller, quoted saying something like, “The only person who dares wake a king at 3:00 a.m. for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.” We have access to the Great High Priest, the King of Kings; we have access to Jesus who sits at the right hand of the Father and, during the busyness or difficulties of this season, it might be easy to forget to stop and pray. Therefore, instead of writing about all the reasons we ought to be thankful, I would like to share a prayer from Scotty Smith’s book Every Season Prayers. I hope this prayer encourages your faith during this season.

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A Prayer for Remaining Grateful When Life Is Messy

 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thess. 5: 18 ESV)

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ( Isa. 41: 10 ESV)

Dear heavenly Father, there are some days when it’s good (and important) to remember that you call us to offer thanks in, not for, all circumstances. The gospel isn’t about magical thinking or make-believe living, spiritual anesthesia or circumstantial amnesia. In fact, the gospel is the only place in the universe where we don’t have to pretend about anything. That’s one of the many reasons we love you and are grateful to be your children.

Father, strengthen, help, and uphold us with your righteous right hand, in stories that are recipes for dismay.

For those of us for whom holidays highlight the brokenness of our family system—grant us grace and freedom to love well in the chaos.

For those of us bearing the weight of health concerns for ourselves or those we love—grant us peace, and the assurance of your nearness.

For those of us weighed down by some combination of the six o’clock news, financial pressures, vocational issues, and relational heartache—grant us grace and a vision of the occupied throne of heaven.

For those of us who hear the condemning whispers of Satan louder than the consoling voice of Jesus, grant us grace and fresh assurance that nothing can separate us from your love—that Jesus plus nothing is our righteousness, period.

Father, in these and other scenarios of difficult circumstances, reassure us that you are very much at work, for your glory and our good. For you have called us—you have subpoenaed us to an eternal life of intimacy with yourself. You want us, you have us, and you love us. Hallelujah, now and forever we are yours. In Jesus’ merciful and mighty name we pray. Amen.[1]

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[1] Smith, Scotty. Every Season Prayers: Gospel-Centered Prayers for the Whole of Life. 33-34

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