• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

Concluding Prayer With Thanksgiving

Text: Colossians 1:12

It is right that prayer should be concluded with the giving of thanks to God. This was how Paul practised praying. He always included the giving of thanks.

“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us
to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”

Colossians 1:12

1. God the Father

a) All prayers should be offered to God the Father.

b) This was taught by the Lord Jesus Himself (Matthew 6:9).

c) This was well exemplified in the prayers recorded in the Gospel (John 17).

d) This was practised by the apostles.

2. “Giving thanks to the Father”

a) There are many reasons why we should give thanks to the Father (Psalm 103).

b) It is important to cultivate a heart that naturally desires to extol the Lord (Psalm 145).

c) It is good to give thanks spontaneously:-

i) For blessings bestowed.

ii) For answered prayers.

d) It is wonderful to be able to give thanks with minds that are enlightened.

3. Special reasons highlighted

a) He has qualified us to be partakers of a great spiritual inheritance.

i) Out of grace

ii) Out of mercy

iii) Out of love

b) This inheritance is so significant our hearts should constantly give thanks to God.

i) We are heirs of God because we are His children (Romans 8:17).

ii) We are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

iii) We have an incorruptible inheritance that does not fade away (1 Peter 1:4).

iv) We have an inheritance that is reserved in heaven (1 Peter 1:4).

v) We have this understanding because of the blessing of “light” (John 1:4-5).