ACTS of Prayer - Part 4 [Notes]

Join us for "The ACTS of Prayer," a six-week series designed to help you grow with God and others through the gift of prayer. Each week, we’ll explore different types of prayer—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication—while addressing questions like, “Am I doing this right?” and “Why does God answer some prayers but not others?” Whether you’re new to prayer or looking to deepen your connection with God, this series will provide Biblical insights and practical tools to help you experience the power of prayer in a meaningful and guilt-free way.

Takeaway:  Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude to God always and in everything

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
– Romans 12:1-2 (CSB)

“It is the will of God, to have the Spirit of God, use the Word of God, to make the children of God, look like the son of God.”
– H.B. Charles Jr

Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude to God always and in everything 

For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God. This means one must not transgress against and take advantage of a brother or sister in this manner, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you. For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness. Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
– 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (CSB)

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t stifle the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:12-21 (CSB)

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CSB)

“These three exhortations in verses 16–18 are not just good advice; they are God’s will for every Christian. They are not the totality of God’s will, but they are a clear and important segment of it. God’s will means joy, prayer, and thanksgiving for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
– Thomas L. Constable

“Pray without ceasing” does not mean we must always be mumbling prayers. The word means “constantly recurring,” not continuously occurring. We are to “keep the receiver off the hook” and be in touch with God so that our praying is part of a long conversation that is not broken.
– Warren W. Wiersbe

Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude to God always and in everything

1. Perspective

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.
– Romans 8:28-30 (CSB)

“To rejoice always is to see the hand of God in whatever is happening and to remain certain of God’s future salvation. Without such conviction joy would not be possible in the face of affliction, suffering, and death.”
– Dr. Charles A. Wanamaker 

Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude to God always and in everything

1. Perspective
2. Presence

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will also share in the comfort.
– 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (CSB)

Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude to God always and in everything

1. Perspective
2. Presence
3. Purpose

Expressing gratitude to God always and in everything

Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude to God always and in everything

1. Perspective
2. Presence
3. Purpose

Father, I thank you for __________.

Isn't He Good // The Lord Will Provide // Living Hope // Gratitude

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