What does "gave thanks" teach us about gratitude in our prayers?

Opening the Verse

“​And taking the bread, He gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’” (Luke 22:19)

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What We See Jesus Do

• He pauses before action.

• He directs His gratitude to the Father.

• He offers thanks even while moving toward suffering.

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Lessons for Our Own Prayers

1. Intentional Pause

 • Gratitude isn’t rushed; it is chosen.

 • Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

2. God-Focused Orientation

 • Thanks is addressed upward, not inward.

 • Psalm 100:4: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.”

3. Gratitude in the Midst of Trial

 • Jesus gives thanks on the eve of the cross.

 • 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

4. Connection to Provision

 • Bread symbolizes daily needs met by God.

 • Matthew 6:11: “Give us today our daily bread.”

 • Recognizing provision fuels humble dependence.

5. Model of Remembering

 • “Do this in remembrance of Me” ties gratitude to memory.

 • Psalm 103:2: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

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Practical Takeaways

• Begin prayer with a deliberate moment of thanks.

• Name specific provisions—physical, spiritual, relational.

• Thank God before requests; it realigns perspective.

• Practice gratitude on hard days; it anchors trust.

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Living It Out This Week

• Start each day by thanking God for one simple gift.

• At meals, pause long enough for heartfelt, not hurried, thanks.

• Record answered prayers and revisit the list regularly, echoing Jesus’ pattern of giving thanks.