Press In With a Grateful Heart – 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

Some believe, because of today’s verse, you should thank God for everything including pain, poverty, and even death of loved ones. However, this can lead to a convoluted idea of who God is and what He wants for His people. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Regardless of what is going on in your life or in this country, God is who He is: good, holy, and loving. He does not change with circumstances. The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God is a good Father who takes care of you. At times, His love leads you through hard things to produce positive changes in your life (Hebrews 12:6). When life becomes difficult, believe that God is with you (Zephaniah 3:17). Press in, knowing He is as near as your heartbeat. Press in, with a prayer of faith. Press in, with confidence, knowing that Christ made the way for you to come before the Father’s throne.

While today, in the United States, many recall the things they are thankful for, you can make every day a day of thanksgiving. Thank God for the positive circumstances in your life and that He uses the problems and trials for your good as you yield yourself to Him in prayer. Thank Him for the good that remains in this country and ask Him to make right the things that are wrong.

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: James 1:2-4, 12-18

²Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

¹²Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. ¹³Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.