How often do we hear the words, “Thank God!”—perhaps spoken quickly after a close call or moment of relief. Or maybe we hear its softened substitute, “Thank goodness.” We use these expressions so often that they can lose their meaning—spoken out of habit rather than true gratitude. When said without reflection, the words slip away without giving us a moment to pause and remember who we are truly thanking.

In worship, we sometimes say, “Thanks be to God,” following a reading or prayer. Here, the tone shifts—our hearts and minds are directed toward the One who gives all good things. In that setting, the words carry their full weight: genuine thankfulness offered to the Lord.

Now November has come, and soon we’ll be greeting one another with a warm “Happy Thanksgiving!” But as we prepare for this season, it’s worth asking—what guides our prayers of thanksgiving?

Martin Luther provides us with a rich foundation in his explanation of the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed in the Large Catechism. He writes:

“Since everything we possess, and everything in heaven and on earth besides, is daily given and sustained by God, it inevitably follows that we are duty bound to love, praise, and thank Him without ceasing, and, in short, to devote all these things to His service.”

These words remind us that thanksgiving is not a once-a-year event, but a way of life—a posture of the heart. Every prayer we offer can include thanksgiving: a conscious acknowledgment of God’s blessings and a joyful recognition of His daily care.

So as you gather with family and friends this season, take time to lift your thanks intentionally. Let your “Thank God!” be more than a passing phrase. Let it be a prayer—a moment of praise, gratitude, and trust in the Giver of all good things.

And as you share Thanksgiving greetings with others, do so with purpose and with God’s blessing—offering each word as a reflection of His goodness and grace. With genuine thankfulness offered to the Lord. In every situation, Prayer Matters.

Faith Lutheran Church Healing Prayer Team