Good Father,

We confess that sometimes 

this command seems impossible to obey.

How do we give thanks 

when we feel immersed in the fallenness 

of this broken world, 

in our own sin, 

in the harm caused by others’ sin, 

in the pain and suffering 

of racism, unemployment, 

betrayal, mental illness, sickness, death…?

It helps to remember that the apostle Paul, 

by whose hand you scrawled these words, 

knew suffering: 

imprisonments, shipwreck, beatings, 

betrayal, poverty, mockery, 

and other miseries (2 Corinthians 11:24-29).

And yet, he was able to write these words:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; 

perplexed, but not driven to despair; 

persecuted, but not forsaken; 

struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

What did Paul see that we need to see? 

He saw that as he suffered, 

more people saw the grace of Jesus Christ and more people saw your dazzling glory:

“For it is all for your sake, 

so that as grace extends to more and more people 

it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15).

Whether we are in a season of joy or affliction, 

may we give thanks with Paul—

your grace and glory are growing, 

in our lives, and in the lives of others.

In Jesus’ gracious name. Amen. 

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.