The Presidential Prayer Team

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

If someone asks what your best life decisions have been, what comes to mind? Perhaps they include getting married or relocating for a better job. For Christ-followers, number one on your list could be receiving God’s invitation to salvation and accepting the Savior as the Lord of your life. In all events, you realize that life is not about checking items off your decision-making to-do list. Life consists of the choices that you make.

Today’s verse says choosing to be thankful, regardless of what is going on in your life, puts you in the center of God’s will. You have the option to be grateful for His provisions in life, great or small. God is a loving Father and will give you what you need when you need it. Be thankful for His Word. Let it be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). Staying in the Word will support you as you walk through dark places. You can thank God that He is never defeated, and you will be victorious as you lean upon Him. As the praise chorus says, “He will always see you through.”

As your life progresses and you face options in the future, seek the Lord and His guidance in making wise choices. Then look across the entirety of your life and give thanks for every circumstance, asking the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf when life becomes difficult. Pray that governing officials in Washington would recognize the blessings the Lord has given them and become more thankful in spirit as they serve the nation.

Today’s Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Colossians 3:12-17

¹²Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.