In a fast-paced and demanding world, it can be easy to get caught up in the frenzy of daily life and overlook the simple blessings that surround us. But as Christ-followers, learning to express our gratitude to God is so crucial to our relationship with Him. Living a life of thankfulness and gratitude brings a measure of positivity and joy into every aspect of our lives – it nurtures our relationship with God, but it also encourages a positive mindset and enhances our well-being overall! The new book by Pray.com, Morning Gratitude: Inspiring Moments to Start Your Day, will help you embrace a habit of daily morning gratitude to the Lord. It takes just a few moments each day, and He will meet you right where you are as you commit to connecting with Him in a deeper way.
Read on for an excerpt from Morning Gratitude:
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5:9 KJV
While relationships can sometimes be difficult, we can be grateful that God has provided His peace for our lives – and He says that His peace surpasses all our human understanding could ever comprehend. Peace with God and peace with others—that is what His Spirit can bring to our lives as we ask Him into our relationships. When other people are unkind, when they say or do things that upset you, that break your trust or even your heart, being a peacemaker, as Jesus asks, may seem impossible. But when you confess to the Lord all your hurt, all your anger, and all your pain, He will come into your heart and help you to forgive, to live in peace with Him, with others, and even with yourself.
What blessings of peace have you enjoyed? What relationships has God restored in your life? Think of the delight that has come into your heart because of peace. In what past situations did you reach out to turn anger into agreement? With an attitude of gratitude, thank the Lord for helping you resolve past conflicts and for the fruits of joy and growth that have come from those relationships. Thank Him for the times you spend free from fear and hostility. And thank Him for the future reconciliation in your current broken relationships.
Remember that God has called you to be a peacemaker. He wants you, as far as it is possible for you, to live as a peacemaker, bringing restoration and calm to all places where there is discord and disagreement. As you work toward living amicably and in unity with everyone you can, God will also work peace into your soul and spirit. Through obedience to God’s Word and a desire to bring harmony to all your relationships, you can become a peacemaker!
God is present today, and He is listening to you as you pray for peace in every area of your life. Thank Him for His help and the ability to resolve conflicts. Ask Him for creative solutions to mend old bridges and build new ones, connecting people with each other and with God. Pray for peace in all your interactions; peace with your family and friends; peace at work with your superiors and your colleagues; peace in every area, every aspect, and every relationship in your life. And give thanks to God when He brings it to pass.
Prayer:
God, I praise You for Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Your peace overcomes all circumstances, all fear and doubts. God, I worship You for giving me the ability to be a peacemaker. I praise You for calling me Your child. I know that You love me and that You have already provided a resolution to all conflict. Amen.
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Do you find yourself lagging in the morning, with little to no energy? Or maybe not being able to bounce back from life’s demands as easily as you once did? Are you ready for a change?
Adding a morning gratitude practice to your everyday routine will energize you and make you more resilient. It’s even said that it can help you live longer! Morning Gratitude: Inspiring Moments to Start Your Day will help you obtain the optimistic outlook you’ve always wanted while building a habit of thankfulness that will bring you true joy and peace every day for the rest of your life.
With 100 entries that include a Scripture passage, devotion, written prayer, and prompt of praise, this companion for mornings with God will jumpstart your day in a positive way. As you reflect on His Word, you’ll start to notice His blessings all around you, giving you the energy and strength to face each day with joy and courage.
Whether you’ve been following God for a while or are just starting your journey, the daily readings in Morning Gratitude will help you to align yourself with the promises of God and build deep lines of communication with your Creator.
Pick up your copy of Morning Gratitude: Inspiring Moments to Start Your Day today, and leave a comment below to enter to WIN one of five copies*!
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Paulette says
What a blessing it would be to share this book with my sister’s. Thank you for sharing this small nugget. Blessings.
Susan says
What a wonderful way to start the day!!
Jen says
I’ve been journaling 3 things to be grateful for each day for years. It shifts my perspective and sets the course for my day. I would love this book as an addition to my morning quiet time.
Sandy says
The practice of “gratitude” is life giving. Thank you for this reminder – during a season where we are prone to “work to get more.”
Danna Werner says
Thank you for the encouraging words.
Nadine says
Thank you for the opportunity to win the book.
Judyc says
Thanks for the reminder to be grateful for what we have and to start each day telling God
“Thank You”!
Jill says
Gratitude is my jam.
Gail Mattox says
Is possible to get a copy of Morning of gratitude please thank you Gail Mattox, 2200 Kerwin Rd. #411, Cleveland, OH 44118
Kim Weldon says
This book sounds like a wonderful addition to my daily Bible readings. We should always give thanks to the Lord everyday not just during the month of November.
Sharon A says
I have always tried to practice gratitude but have become a little slack lately. I love this idea. Our pastor just completed a series called 21 days of gratitude and it was a reminder I truly needed. I am grateful for this opportunity and it sounds like it would make a great gift for anyone
Shay says
I’m so excited to see this new book! I desperately need this for my morning routine as I struggle with anxiety and depression.
Donna says
Dear Shay, I pray that we both win this book as I also struggle with depression and anxiety. May the Lord deliver and heal us both. May the Lord richly bless you!
Sharon Jacobs says
I have done a gratitude journal in the past, and you’re right! It does change your outlook. Would like to win this one?
Laura says
I love starting my day with devotions. I read Rick Warren’s Daily Hope, Journey, incourage and the DaySpring daily devotion. I have been trying to work on being thankful in all circumstances (especially when I am not thankful FOR that circumstance) so this would be a great tool to help with that goal. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
Donna says
Isaiah 51:11 and Isaiah 35:10. Also, Jeremiah 29:11. I start each day with my prayer time and my prayer time starts and ends with thankfulness, whether I feel like it or not. I suffer off and on with depression and anxiety. I am in one of those periods now. I turn 77 on Thanksgiving day this week. I have a wonderful husband, but no children of my own. I love the Lord and look to Him for everything. God bless you all!
Janet W says
Morning devotions are my every morning routine and in-courage blog is one of them. Thank you all of you for your inspiration and leadership and warm God filled encouraging words \0/
Wishing you and your families a wonderful love, laughter, tummy filled Thanksgiving
May the hand held prayer of thanks around a table filled with family and friends fill you and make God smile
Heather Edwards says
What a great book idea. I am thinking of possibly using the word Gratitude as my word of the year in 2024, this would be a great accompaniment.
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
You know what a blessing you all incourage are. I love to pray for you all. You what I say most day. I thank God for waking me up to enjoy another day in his beautiful world. This is the Day the Lord Has Made Let us Rejoice and Be Glad In It. Psalm 118 v 24. Even some times I not in the mood for doing those saying. But I make myself as God as never forget about me. Never forgets to wake me up to enjoy another day in his beautiful world. Even though man might try and destroy it. Thank you for this reading today. It reminds us to get into the word of God and prayer. Do as Lamentations 3 23-26 say. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because his compassion fail not. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion says my soul therefore I hope in him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” how true all theses are. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh. N.Ireland xx
Kathy McKinsey says
This sounds like a really good idea. thank you for the reminder.:)
Reina says
Im ready for that change, Dealing with mental Health spiritual warfare,
Kelly Collins says
I am definitely a peacemaker and it has been a bit hard lately. But I will continue to do what the Lord has called us to do. I would love to win a copy of Morning Gratitude to add to my devotional time. Thank you for the opportunity.
Beth Williams says
In Courage,
This book sounds like a must have for most women. It helps to start the day praying to God & thanking Him. I even pray sometimes at work.
Blessings 🙂
Nadine says
Thank you for this opportunity to win the book.
Jane says
What a great idea to start the day with gratitude. I would love a book to help me do that. Thank you.
Beverly Aiwohi says
Praise God from Whom.AĹL blessings flow!