A Prayer of Gratitude When Life Feels Hard - Your Daily Prayer - January 28
A Prayer of Gratitude When Life Feels Hard
By Rachel Wojo
Bible Reading:
"The leaders of the Levites were... to give thanks, according to the commands of David the man of God... At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out... to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving... The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away." - Nehemiah 12:24, 27, 43
(Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing in Nehemiah 13:2b).
Listen or Read Below:
It was one of those perfect autumn days. The kind where the sky is impossibly blue, and the air feels like a gift. I was sitting beside my daughter Taylor's bed, watching golden sunshine pour through her window while she slept. Taylor was terminally ill and too weak to be carried down the steps to go outside. My heart was breaking over her, and all the beautiful days she was missing.
"I wish we could just be outside," I whispered to God, my words more accusation than prayer. "She loves the sunshine. Can't she have just that?"
But then, in that gentle way the Holy Spirit speaks when we're raw and hurting, I heard Him whisper to my heart: "See that sunshine coming through the window?"
I looked again. The afternoon light was painting golden rectangles across Taylor's bed, warming her face, making her hair glow. The sunshine had come to her. God had brought the gift right into our darkness.
That moment changed my heart. I realized I'd been so focused on what we couldn't have that I'd missed what God was still giving us. The sunshine through the window. The peaceful rise and fall of her breathing. The fact that we were together. My weak, trembling gratitude found its voice: "Thank You that when I'm weak, You are strong. Thank You that You see us here."
The book of Nehemiah tells of another group who had every reason to struggle with gratitude. They were rebuilding Jerusalem's walls while surrounded by enemies, working with one hand while holding a weapon in the other. Their circumstances were far from ideal. Yet right in the middle of their struggle, they stopped to celebrate with such joy that "the sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away."
They didn't wait for perfect conditions to give thanks. They thanked God, even though the work was still hard and much remained broken. And tucked into their story is this breathtaking parenthetical statement that changes everything: "Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing."
However, that's God's specialty. We see curse; He sees potential blessing. We see endings; He sees new beginnings. We see sunshine we can't reach; He sends it streaming through our windows.
I know how hard it can be to see it. But there is always, always something to be thankful for. Not because life isn't devastating sometimes; it absolutely is. Not because we should minimize our pain or pretend everything's fine. But because even in our darkest rooms, God is still sending light through windows we didn't know were there.
Maybe your gratitude feels weak and trembling this year. It’s easy to stare at all you've lost. We want to unsee all that's broken, and we cannot change.
Gratitude isn't about the strength of our thanksgiving. I’m so glad. It’s about the faithfulness of the God we're thanking. And He is faithful.
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You don't require perfect circumstances or perfect faith for us to come to You with gratitude. Right now, I'm bringing You my struggle to be thankful when so much feels hard.
Lord, I confess that I often focus so intently on what I've lost or can't have that I miss the gifts You're still giving. Like sunshine through windows when I can't go outside. Like Your presence in my weakest moments. Like the way You're turning curses into blessings even when I can't see it yet.
Open my eyes to see where You're at work. When thanksgiving feels impossible, help me to rest in who You are rather than straining for feelings I cannot produce.
Today, Lord, I choose to thank You. Not because everything is okay, but because You are with me. Not because I understand Your plan, but because I trust Your heart. Turn my whispered complaints into weak but willing praise. Turn my curse into a blessing, as only You can.
Help me to give thanks with such authenticity that others hear it and know - God is still good, even here.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
God’s faithfulness is ever available. If you're looking for more guidance on anchoring your heart in God's promises, I invite you to check out my new prayer journal, Praying the Promises of God: 52 Week Guided Journal at https://promisesprayerjournal.com. In this journal, you'll find space to meditate on the promises that remind you of your incredible worth to God and help you experience His intimate love in tangible ways. Until next time, remember, God sees you, hears you, and He knows your needs.
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/NoonVirachada
If you enjoy Rachel’s prayers, you’ll appreciate the beautiful prayer card set, 31 Days of Prayers for the Heart. Enjoy and display Rachel Wojo's beautiful 31-day prayer card collection that includes A Morning Prayer, A Prayer for the Moment, and more! Easily place your favorite on display or transition through the set using one each day for a month. All cards securely rest in the display stand. This set includes 5x7 cards on sturdy 100 lb cardstock, beautiful, smooth professional print, and a handcrafted wooden display stand to hold all cards.
Related Resource: Your Kids' Spiritual Growth Matters More Than Harvard: Gary Thomas on Parenting for Eternity
Gary Thomas (bestselling author of Sacred Marriage, Sacred Parenting) is back on the podcast to discuss his latest book, The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling 12 Lies About Remaining in God's Love. Gary challenges common parenting myths that Christians often fall into, and offers practical ways on how to live life God's way, not the world's.
Let's learn together how to create Christ-centered homes, prioritize God's kingdom over family idols, and embrace spiritual adventure over control. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
