November is Thanksgiving Month. Evangelical churches would celebrate Thanksgiving on November as part of the tradition that the American missionaries brought to the Philippines.
When should we give thanks? In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul wrote that we should give thanks in all circumstances. This is acknowledging the hand of God in your situation and that what we have is by the grace of God.
What specific instances that we should thank God?
First, thank God for the food that you are about to eat.
In the feeding of the multitudes, Jesus gave thanks for the bread and the fish that the boy sacrificially gave. God multiplied it and thousands were fed. During the Last Supper, Jesus gave thanks for the bread and the wine that they ate and drank. In Emmaus, after a long walk with two disciples, Jesus gave thanks for the bread as well.
Paul also gave thanks in front of everyone for the food during the time that they were shipwrecked.
For some, it is automatic to give thanks to God before eating but others usually forget to give thanks to God. They just go directly eating without acknowledging that God is the source of the blessings and the food in the table is a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
Second, give thanks to God for answered prayers.
In 2 Corinthians 1:11, Paul wrote to the members of the church in Corinth thanking them for the prayers that they have made, and to thank God for answering their prayers favorably.
For sure, many of us have made many requests to God through our prayers. If you are keeping track of these prayers, then you know how God has answered your prayers. Thank God for the different answers of God to your prayers. You have to trust that God will answer your prayers according to His own time and greater purpose. You will be amazed how God answers your prayers more than what you have expected.
Be like the Samaritan leper who was healed by Jesus Christ. Do not forget to thank God for what He has done in and through your life.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications