Gratitude is often the neglected power in prayer. It is so much more than an obligatory thanks to finalizing a request. The expression of thanksgiving demonstrates trust in the Father’s ability to keep his word, and his desire to bless you.
Our unfulfilled needs can cause us to focus on the wait time, which leads to redundant asking and the misbelief that God did not hear us or that our prayer isn’t his biggest priority. Our repetitive asking opposes Mathew 6:7 which tells us not to ask repetitively.
In John 6, Jesus challenged the disciples to feed the thousands. After He gave thanks, the miracle of multiplication and provision began. Gratitude is the thing that releases God’s power to activate the miracle you are petitioning for.
There are so many things I get caught up worrying over. The Holy Spirit always brings Philippians 4:6 to memory; Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Then I realize: I haven’t really asked for one thing. I’m just trying to figure it all out and stressing myself out in the process.
Supplication is demonstrating reliance on God’s guidance and provision. God wouldn’t tell us to avoid worry and pray over every detail of life with gratitude unless he intended to answer those prayers. Once you have prayed over a matter, every time you are hit with an anxious thought, the most powerful response is to start thanking the Father for working on this even when you can’t see it.
Philippians 4:7 shows us how to restore peace when we exchange worry for gratitude; “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” It’s not things going wrong that steal our peace. It’s the obsessive dread of asking yourself, ”How will this work out, will this ever get fixed?” When you give God your problems, He gives you peace. Let your asking be matched with an outpouring of thanks, and watch your prayer cup overflow with blessings.