Day 23 Prayers for Gratitude

Pray for a heart of gratitude, recognizing the blessings in their life.

Philippians 4:6

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Gratitude is an essential mindset in recovery. If anyone focuses on the negative things in their life instead of the positive, they are going to be depressed and anxious. To maintain hope and a positive mindset, we must practice gratitude. There is always something to be grateful for in any situation. Mr. Rogers told a story of being frightened by a news story as a child and said that he was comforted when his mom told him to look for the helpers. Even in catastrophic situations, there are helpers there that we can be grateful for.

Addiction tends to lead to a victim mentality and recovery shifts that to a survivor mindset. The problem with being a victim is that you have no power to help yourself but a survivor does everything within their power to overcome the obstacles they face. Gratitude causes you to look around and see the positives, to see the resources you have available to help.

Gratitude has been scientifically proven to reduce depression, lessen anxiety, relieve stress, and improve sleep. Many of our loved ones have sought out their drug of choice seeking all four of these benefits or a combination thereof. Gratitude is a natural God-honoring way to achieve the desired results without the use of drugs and alcohol. We all need help in these areas for time to time and gratitude to God is a giant part of His plan to get us there.

I encourage you too to have a heart of gratitude. No matter how dire the situation is with your loved one, there is something or someone to be grateful for. When we shift our focus we can better bare the bad days. We can be grateful that there is still breath in their lungs and that there is still hope for their recovery. If heaven forbid our nightmare scenario plays out there is hope in their eternity. Find something to be grateful for each and every day. Keep a journal of the things you are grateful for. If you write down just 3 things per day that you are grateful for, at the end of one year, you will have listed over 1000 things that you are grateful to God for. There is power in gratitude!

May God bless you on this journey!

Precious Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of hope, lifting up our addicted loved ones. Lord, we ask that You fill their hearts with gratitude, even in the midst of their struggles. Help them to recognize the blessings that surround them, no matter how difficult the journey may be. Open their eyes to see the love, support, and grace You continually provide.

Teach them to give thanks in all circumstances, trusting that You are working for their good. May they find peace and joy in even the smallest victories, and may their hearts be filled with thankfulness for the strength and guidance You offer daily. Let gratitude be a source of hope and healing as they walk the path to recovery.

We ask that You renew their spirit and help them focus on the good things You are doing in their lives, trusting in Your faithfulness.

In Jesus’ mighty name,Amen.

Colossians 3:17

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

James 1:17

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Hebrews 12:28

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Psalm 100:4

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name."