““Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.””
As we round up 2025 and prepare to enter 2026, it is evident that God has kept us and we know He has been good to us. We cannot really pay God for what he has done and that is why he has made it easy for us by giving us the opportunity to come to him in thanksgiving. Today is the first day of our 21 days of prayers/fasting were we are entering his courts and our focus today should not be on asking or knocking and petition heaven. Our focus should be on reflecting and appreciating God on his kindness, love, faithfulness, salvation, deliverance, provision, protection, mercies etc.
Psalm 100:4 says “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Who among us will not be happy when you answer the phone or knock at a door and the first thing is the person knocking begins by thanking you for answering the phone or opening the door? Thanksgiving is a divine confession of the goodness of God. It is not optional. Thanksgiving is the key that unlocks the gates and courts of God. When we are thankful, it shows that we really appreciate God’s salvation and blessings in our lives. Thankfulness is a form of worship that smooths our entry and acceptance into God throne room. When we appreciate God, we can move our eyes from our struggles and focus on God. We can easily navigate God’s blessings in the past and muster enough faith to believe that he will do it again.
Take your notebook today and list some of the things that God has done for you in 2025. Use that list today as a reminder of the goodness of the Lord. Sing songs of praise, thanks and worship.
Thanksgiving is a sacrifice: Psalm 107:22 “Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing”. Psalm 116:17 “I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD”.
We thank God for everything in 2025: Ephesians 5:19-20 “19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Daily circumstances should never sharp our way of giving thanks: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
A reminder of his kindness: Psalm 103:1-2 “1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds.”
Reminder: Daily Prayer line at 9pm EST via Zoom.