HABIT #2: Pray with thanksgiving.

READ IT

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Tens of millions of Americans are praying today, all for the wrong reasons. I guarantee you the number one prayer today is, “Dear God, let me win the Powerball.” That typifies how we mostly pray (whenever we do pray). “God, give me this,” “God, give me that,” “God protect me,” “God help me.”

Those aren’t necessarily bad prayers, but the Philippians 4 Challenge is about learning to pray a new way: with thanksgiving. You may not see it at first, but this habit ingrained over time can transform your mind and your heart from the inside out. If joy is an attitude, combining that with thanksgiving creates an attitude of gratitude. And that will change you.

It’s hard to be ungrateful when you’re thankful. It’s hard to be angry when you’re joyful. Cultivate the habit of thanksgiving, and watch a renewed mind and heart bloom up inside of you.

WRITE IT

How did you do with your Live It challenge yesterday? If there was a moment yesterday where you caught yourself going negative and verbally said, “Choose to be joyful,” share it with the rest of us taking this Challenge!

PRAY IT

God, I thank you for today. I thank you for your incredible blessings. I thank you for the gift of life. I thank you for the family you placed me in. I thank you for all you’ve given me. I thank you for giving me a heart that yearns to be closer to you.

LIVE IT

On a sheet of paper, write down ten things (or people) you’re thankful for. Carry that sheet of paper with you today and three different times today verbally thank God in prayer for all that He’s given you. (The more you’re thankful, the more you’ll see your mind begin to transform).

After you’re done, encourage others to do the same! Help spread the word about the Philippians 4 Challenge by using #phil4challenge on social media!