Using Gratitude to Inspire Worship and Praise in Others
Gratitude serves as a powerful catalyst for worship and praise, both in personal devotion and in inspiring others. The act of giving thanks is frequently linked with magnifying God and declaring His works [1, 2]. This connection is evident throughout scripture, where thanksgiving is presented as a proper response to God's character and actions.
The Bible consistently calls for thanksgiving. For instance, Psalm 95:2 encourages believers to "come before his presence with thanksgiving" [5]. Similarly, Philippians 4:6 commands believers to make their requests known to God "with thanksgiving," and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs them to give thanks "in everything" [7]. This practice is not merely a suggestion but a commanded aspect of faith, reflecting a recognition of God's goodness and provision [7].
Jesus Christ himself set an example of thanksgiving, giving thanks before meals and in significant moments of his ministry [7]. The heavenly host is also depicted engaging in thanksgiving, underscoring its importance in divine worship [7]. This practice is due to God for His majesty, glory, excellency, greatness, holiness, wisdom, power, goodness, mercy, and loving-kindness [8]. We bless God when we thank Him for His mercies [9].
When individuals express gratitude, it can naturally lead to worship and praise. John Chrysostom, an early church father, noted that offering God the "firstlings of their good deeds and words" and rendering thanks not only for one's own blessings but also for the "well-doings" of others, purifies the soul from envy and draws God's favor [10]. This suggests that gratitude fosters a spirit of generosity and communal joy, which are foundational to collective worship.
The Old Testament provides examples of how remembering God's past acts of mercy and providence was intended to cultivate gratitude and obedience among the Israelites [11]. For instance, the institution of the Feast of Tabernacles was designed to perpetuate the memory of God's deliverance from Egypt and preservation in the wilderness, thereby exciting a spirit of gratitude [11]. This historical remembrance serves to deepen appreciation for God's ongoing faithfulness.
The expression of gratitude can also be a witness to others, leading them to glorify God. Paul writes in Romans 15:9 that the Gentiles might "glorify God for his mercy," citing a prophecy that declares, "Therefore will I give praise to you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name" [4]. This indicates that when believers openly express their thankfulness, it can draw unbelievers to acknowledge God's mercy and join in praise.
Moreover, the act of praise itself is a form of thanksgiving. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 86:12, notes that praising God "with all my heart" is an act of ascribing glory to God and giving thanks for mercies received [13]. Matthew Henry similarly states that giving thanks is a primary duty, acknowledging God as a "bountiful benefactor" [12]. These interpretations highlight the intrinsic link between gratitude and the broader act of worship.
The New Testament further emphasizes that believers are to use their gifts in serving one another, acting as "good managers of the grace of God in its various forms" [3]. This service, born out of gratitude for God's grace, can inspire others to recognize God's work and respond with their own worship. When Christians share with those in need and practice hospitality, as Romans 12:13 encourages, these acts of love and generosity, rooted in thankfulness, can lead others to glorify God [6].
Sources
- Psalms “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. -- Psalms 69:30”
- Psalms “that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of all your wondrous works. -- Psalms 26:7”
- 1 Peter “As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. -- 1 Peter 4:10”
- Romans “and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore will I give praise to you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” -- Romans 15:9”
- Psalms “Let’s come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let’s extol him with songs! -- Psalms 95:2”
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Thanksgiving — Christ set an example of -- Mt 11:25; 26:27; Joh 6:11; 11:41. The heavenly host engaged in -- Re 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17. Commanded -- Ps 50:14; Php 4:6. Is a good thing -- Ps 92:1. Should be offered To God. -- Ps 50:14. To Christ. -- 1Ti 1:12. Through Christ. -- Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15. In the name of Christ. -- Eph 5:20. In behalf of ministers. -- 2Co 1:11. In private worship. -- Da 6:10. In public worship. -- Ps 35:18. In everything. -- 1Th 5:18. Upon the completion of great undertakings. -- Ne 12:31,40. Before taking food. -- Joh 6:11; Ac 27:35.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Bless — (1.) God blesses his people when he bestows on them some gift temporal or spiritual (Gen. 1:22; 24:35; Job 42:12; Ps. 45:2; 104:24, 35). (2.) We bless God when we thank him for his mercies (Ps. 103:1, 2; 145:1, 2). (3.) A man blesses himself when he invokes God's blessing (Isa. 65:16), or rejoices in God's goodness to him (Deut. 29:19; Ps. 49:18). (4.) One blesses another when he expresses good wishes or offers prayer to God for his welfare (Gen. 24:60; 31:55; 1 Sam. 2:20). Sometimes blessings were uttered under divine inspiration, as in the case of Noah, Isa”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: 343 Homily II. Rom. I. 8 “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” An exordium worthy of this blessed spirit, and able to teach all men to offer unto God the firstlings of their good deeds and words, and to render thanks not only for their own, but also for others’ well-doings: which also maketh the soul pure from envy and grudging, and draweth God in a greater measure towards the loving spirit of them that so render thanks. Wherefore also elsewhere he says, “Blessed be God and ”
- Leviticus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Leviticus 23:43: That your generations may know, etc. - By the institution of this feast God had two great objects in view: 1. To perpetuate the wonderful display of his providence and grace in bringing them out of Egypt, and in preserving them in the wilderness. 2. To excite and maintain in them a spirit of gratitude and obedience, by leading them to consider deeply the greatness of the favors which they had received from his most merciful hands. Signal displays of the mercy, kindness, and providential care of God should be particularly remembered. When we recollect that we des”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 105:1: Our devotion is here warmly excited; and we are stirred up, that we may stir up ourselves to praise God. Observe, I. The duties to which we are here called, and they are many, but the tendency of them all is to give unto God the glory due unto his name. 1. We must give thanks to him, as one who has always been our bountiful benefactor and requires only that we give him thanks for his favours - poor returns for rich receivings. 2. Call upon his name, as one whom you depend upon for further favours. Praying for further mercies is accepted as an acknowledgment of fo”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 86:12: I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart,.... And under that consideration, that he was his God, and which itself is sufficient matter of praise; this makes him amiable, and such he is, love itself: this is a blessing of pure grace, and is the foundation of all other blessings, and continues for ever: this work of praise, which is no other than ascribing glory to God, and giving thanks unto him for mercies received, the psalmist determines to do with his whole heart, which is to be engaged in every spiritual service; even all of it, all that is within it,”