For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him. – Romans 1:21

According to Scripture, gratitude is a core element of knowing God. Because no one is able to save themselves from sin, the apostle Paul highlights the essential nature of God’s place as King of the Universe and how important it is for created beings to acknowledge Him.

Paul says that those unwilling to recognize God “suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18) and, in response, “since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done” (Romans 1:28). Yet believers, by the perfect grace of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are able to praise God freely, “Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).

Paul challenges believers and reminds us that we are now able to uninhibitedly praise God in gratitude for His position and His gift of salvation, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).

As you pray today, do so with a thankful and humble heart that you have received God’s gifts and are given the power of Christ to overcome the world and enjoy eternity in His presence. Pray for many across the nation to have the veils lifted from their eyes, come to saving faith in Jesus, and to adopt an authentic attitude of gratitude.