“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1–2, ESV)
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart
Heavenly Father, I give you thanks for who you are. You are my God. You are all powerful, all knowing, all goodness. You are loving, kind, merciful, righteous and holy. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are my Savior and Redeemer. How can I do anything but be thankful for you? You are my God!
Father, I thank you for what you’ve done. You have shown me mercy and grace beyond belief. You have watched over my life and protected me. You have poured out your blessing upon me. So, I give you thanks.
Yet, Father, as I give you thanks, I’m convicted. I have to be honest with myself and recognize that I don’t give you thanks with my whole heart. I want to give you thanks with my whole heart, but I don’t. I’m holding back a little. I long for more as I give thanks. I’m not as satisfied as I should be. I’m not as grateful as I should be. So, Father, I ask for your forgiveness. Please forgive my ungratefulness—my thanklessness. Then, Father, I ask that you would free me to give you thanks with all my heart.
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
As I give you thanks, Father, I remember what you’ve done for me. I remember the times when you protected me from making a poor decision. I remember the times when you gave me strength to endure seasons of difficulty. I remember the times when you pulled me out of the pit of despair. I remember the times when you opened doors to unimaginable opportunities in my life. I remember the times when you brought me comfort in my grief. I remember the times when you gave me peace in the midst of turmoil.
I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Father, as I remember these moments of my life—and your wonderful deeds in these moments—my heart pours out thanks and praise to you. My heart rejoices that you are my God and I am your child. A new song forms on my lips and comes out of my mouth. Old songs from my childhood rise in my heart and stir my soul: How Great Thou Art! Amazing Grace! How Firm a Foundation! As I remember your work in my life simple words aren’t enough. I need to sing. My heart needs to sing. So, I sing and praise your name, because you are worthy of all our praise!
Father, remembering the ways you’ve worked throughout my life also helps me right now—in my current situation. I’ve watched you walk with me through so many situations in the past, that I know you are walking with me right now. I know that you will never leave me, nor forsake me. You’re right here to lift me up and carry me through. That’s why I can be glad and exult in You—not matter what situation I’m in. You are with me. You’ve brought be through fiery trials in the past, and you can bring me through this trial. You’ve calmed the waters in the past, and you can calm the waters now. I trust you. And that trust stirs my heart to be glad, to exult, and to praise your name. Amen.