Attitude of Gratitude – The Presidential Prayer Team

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 to knowing God. Because no one is able to save themselves from sin, the apostle Paul makes clear the critical 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 5:1).

While not so different than the “unrighteous” in origin, 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 come to saving faith, to have the veils lifted from their eyes, and for them to adopt an authentic attitude of gratitude discovering the gateway to knowing God.

Today’s Verse: Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

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: Hebrews 12:25-29

²⁵See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. ²⁶At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” ²⁷This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, ²⁹for our God is a consuming fire.