Thanksgiving and Praise

The Lutheran Ambassador - November 17, 1986

                A study of the content of Christian prayer as supremely exemplified in the earthly life of our Lord must include thanksgiving and praise. The psalmist expresses the worthiness of such prayer in these words: "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;  To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night" (Psalm 92:1-2).

v Thanksgiving

                In our last devotional, we spoke of the prayer of supplication. After such "request" prayer, it is appropriate that we offer thanksgiving. How much our Lord values gratitude is indicated in the account of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. All were cleansed of leprosy by our Lord but only one turned back to give thanks. The question our Lord asked this man is very penetrating. "Where are the nine?" His expectation was that there would be a return of thanksgiving. That is His expectation of us, too as those who have experienced a far greater "healing". "Where are the nine?"
                Why is thanksgiving so utterly appropriate as we come before our Lord in worship and prayer? There are three general considerations that should motivate us to heartfelt gratitude: the wonders of God's creation, including the precious gift of life; the gift of eternal salvation through the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ; and God's providential care in preserving us in both body and soul. How good our God is! How utterly worthy of our constant thanksgiving!

v Praise

                We also observe in the earthly life of our Lord praise to the Father. Praise and thanksgiving are much like each other. Both involve giving glory to God. But a common way of expressing the difference between them is that in thanksgiving we are giving God glory for what He has done for us. In praise, we are glorifying Him for what He is in Himself. If that is true, then praise is on a higher plane than thanksgiving because we are completely out of the picture. In praise we are focused simply on God; in thanksgiving we are in the picture to some extent as we think of our benefits.
                From our Lord's lips we hear words of praise recorded on two occasions. In Matthew 11:25-26, He is glorifying the Father as Father, as Lord,  and as sovereign. " “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight." In the "Lord's Prayer," He taught us to bring our prayers to an end with these words, "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
                Do we hear much genuine praise to God among us? I'm afraid there isn't very much either when we are together in worship services or in our prayer closets. It seems that we have to turn back to the old hymns to find much by way of real praise to God. Let us rediscover these powerful hymns of praise and make more use of them as we gather for worship at home and in the congregation.
                One day we shall be able to praise the Lord in perfection and wholeness. There is a beautiful scene described in the Book of Revelation which gives us a glimpse of that future praise. In universal adoration of our Lord as King, the Church triumphant shall confess, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” (5:13). But no one can utter that praise in heaven who has not begun to praise the Lord here. Only forgiven sinners can do that. The psalmist is representative of all who have been saved from the "miry clay" of sin. Listen to his testimony, "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:3).