The quiet days between Christmas and the New Year invite reflection. As the busyness fades, we’re given space to look back—not only at moments of joy, but also at seasons of hardship. Gratitude doesn’t deny pain; it acknowledges God’s presence within it. Even in uncertainty, thanksgiving shifts our hearts to recognize how faithfully God has carried us through every circumstance. When we choose gratitude, our faith is strengthened and our hope for the future renewed.
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear God,
As this year comes to a close, I pause to look back with gratitude. It wasn’t an easy year, but I can see now that You were with me through every moment. I thank You for sustaining me in uncertainty, for providing comfort in pain, and for giving strength when I felt weak. Help me choose gratitude in every circumstance—not because life is always good, but because You are. As I step into what’s ahead, I trust You with my future just as You have faithfully carried me through the past.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
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What is one moment from the past year—joyful or difficult—that you can now thank God for?
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How has practicing gratitude helped bring peace or clarity during challenging seasons of your life?
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As you prepare for a new year, how can reflecting on God’s past faithfulness strengthen your trust in Him for what’s ahead?
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Episode Transcript
Life Audio. Thank you for tuning in to your nightly Prayer,
a podcast designed to help you rest and connect with
your Father in heaven as the day ends. God is
ready to meet you in this moment of peace. As
you settle into sleep. After this short word from our sponsor,
(00:24):
we'll encounter tonight's devotional looking Back with Gratitude, written by
Christine Brown and read by your host, Brooke McLoughlin. Tonight's
(00:45):
scripture give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus First Thessalonians five eighteen.
Something to ponder. The week between Christmas and New year
Year's Day is one of my favorite weeks of the year,
when the excitement and activity of the season begins to calm,
(01:08):
quietness settles in, and we're left with a few days
of downtime before the calendar page turns. I've found it's
the perfect time for praying, hoping, and anticipating what's to
come in the year ahead. But this year I discovered
another reason to love this week. It also provides an
opportunity for us as christ followers, to look back on
(01:31):
the last year with gratitude, even in the hard parts.
It doesn't seem that long ago that I rolled into
January with my usual enthusiasm, planning for all the wonderful things. Weddings,
graduations and more filled my desk calendar pages, and I
looked forward to each event. But then the unthinkable happened.
(01:53):
Just a couple of weeks into the new year. A
cancer diagnosis changed everything. Next twelve months would take their
toll in a way I cannot explain. I recall a
whirlwind of questions, would I still be able to experience
all the wonderful things, or with this hard season, take
away the blessings of the days to come. Uncertainty can
(02:18):
cast a dark cloud over us when we face difficult circumstances.
In those times, it may be hard to find reasons
to be thankful, but that's exactly what our merciful God
calls us to do. For the Thessalonians five eighteen says
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will
for you in Christ Jesus. In his letter to the
(02:41):
church in Thessalonika, the apostle Paul gave instructions to his
fellow believers that served as a guide for them in
their spiritual growth. Paul emphasized the importance of rejoicing, praying,
and giving thanks not only when things were going well,
but all the time. Understood firsthand the power and importance
(03:03):
of gratitude. A grateful heart ushures in peace, joy, and
an abundance of good things. Even though it can be
challenging to choose a spirit of thanksgiving in the midst
of trials, taking time to reflect on God's goodness in
hard times strengthens our faith and renews our hope for
the future. Let's set aside time this week to rejoice
(03:28):
in God's present goodness, pray for what's to come, and
give thanks for all God has brought us through this
past year. As we come to Him with grateful hearts,
we can trust that He is with us in every circumstance.
Your nightly prayer, Dear God, thank you for this past year.
(03:48):
It wasn't easy, but I know that you were with
me through it all. So I choose to be grateful
in every circumstance, not only the good days, but through
the difficult days too, Because when I face the hardest
seasons of life, I know you are working on my behalf. Lord.
As I look back, I can see how You provided
(04:09):
for me in ways beyond what I could hope for.
You brought me comfort, peace and strength, and my weariness.
I rejoice and give thanks for who you are in
my life, my healer, provider and good father in Jesus name,
I pray Amen. Three things to meditate upon. Number one,
(04:32):
let's turn to the passage in one Thessalonians five sixteen
through eighteen as inspiration tonight taking time to reflect on rejoicing, praying,
and giving thanks. What is one thing from this past
year you'd like to thank God for? Two? Think about
why it is God's will for us to be thankful?
(04:54):
What is one benefit of showing God our gratitude? And
number three, In the next few moments, reflect on a
difficult time where you can now see God's faithfulness. Allow
his peace and love to saturate your heart and bring
a calm reassurance that He was with you then and
he is with you right now. Thank you for listening
(05:20):
to your nightly prayer, a production of the Life Audio Network.
If you found comfort and inspiration in tonight's prayer, be
sure to follow and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever
you listen to podcasts. Follow Today so you never miss
a moment of peace and reflection to end your day.
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