Your Example – The Presidential Prayer Team

Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. – John 6:11

What is your T.Q.? Your Thanksgiving Quotient? In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the apostle Paul writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” All circumstances? It seems a challenging charge because it can be difficult to be thankful in the midst of some of the things that happen to you or that you see going on around you.

The prime example of the kind of thankful life you are called to live is found in Jesus. On six different occasions, the Bible records Him giving thanks to the Father. In Matthew 11 and again in Luke 10, Jesus is recorded as thanking (some versions say ”praising”) the Father for hiding things from people who might take the knowledge and exploit it, yet revealing those hidden things to children. While this may seem perplexing, Jesus not only acknowledges the current actions of the Father, He references the Father’s ultimate authority over all things.

He gave thanks for the Father’s provision both when He fed the 4,000 (Matthew 15) and the 5,000 (John 16). Jesus thanked Him for the power over life and death before raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11). And, as today’s verse shows, at the time of the Last Supper, Jesus gave thanks before breaking the bread and again before sharing the wine, knowing full well what was ahead of Him, how He would suffer and die. Christ also knew that in establishing that sacrament for believers to carry forward, that the power of His death and resurrection, as well as His coming again, would forever be acknowledged. His example for you was being thankful in good, bad, and even perplexing times.

Is your T.Q. extending beyond the just good times in life? Are you able to give thanks in difficult situations, knowing God knows what lies ahead? And when you are perplexed, are you able to remain thankful for His faithfulness in your life? During this month when the U.S. celebrates a day of thanksgiving, develop the habit of being thankful each day, no matter what it brings.

Today’s Verse: John 6:11

Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

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: Luke 22:14-20

¹⁴And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ¹⁷And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. ¹⁸For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” ¹⁹And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.