Prayer of Gratitude

How to Thank God?

Gratitude is one of the most exalted forms of prayer. It is an expression of deep appreciation to God for all His blessings and help in our lives. A prayer of thanksgiving is a way to show our recognition of His goodness and to draw closer to His divine grace. The desire to praise God is an innate longing of every soul. As Orthodox Christians, we acknowledge that God is the All-Perfect Spirit, the Creator of the universe, the source of life and goodness, and the embodiment of perfect love. Because of this, we feel an inner need to express gratitude and appreciation to Him. According to the teachings of the Orthodox faith, even a single word of praise to the Lord brings renewal, transformation, and strength to the soul. Thus, the desire to glorify God is an essential part of our spiritual nature, allowing us to establish a deep connection with Him and draw closer to His divine presence. A prayer of thanksgiving holds a special place in our spiritual life, bringing comfort, peace, and confidence in our relationship with the Lord. It helps us recognize that every blessing we receive comes from God, filling our hearts with gratitude and strengthening our bond with Him. One of the most important prayers of gratitude in Orthodox tradition is the Akathist "Glory to God for All Things." This hymn of thanksgiving praises and glorifies God for all the blessings He bestows upon us. The Akathist of Thanksgiving holds a special place in Orthodox worship and is recited in churches and homes alike. It encourages us to thank God for everything He has created and to open our hearts to His grace and love.One of the unique aspects of this Akathist is its melodic and simple wording. Though easy to read and comprehend, it contains deep and meaningful reflections on God’s blessings and calls us to recognize and appreciate His wisdom and love in our lives. This Akathist is prayed both in churches and at home. In church services, it is often accompanied by a thanksgiving moleben, where parishioners gather to pray in unity, expressing gratitude to God. In private home prayer, believers join in collective prayer with thousands of people worldwide at the same time—on Sundays at 3:00, 9:00, 15:00, or 21:00 Moscow time. This allows everyone to lift their voices together in gratitude and reverence for all of God’s blessings.A prayer of gratitude expresses our reliance on God’s mercy and love. Through this prayer, we acknowledge that every aspect of life, even the smallest blessings, are gifts from the Lord. We thank Him for every breath, every ray of sunlight, every opportunity to experience His mercy and grace. We express our gratitude for His help during hardships and trials, recognizing that every moment, every challenge, and every joy is part of His divine providence. Thankfulness to God opens within us a wellspring of love and inspires us to share that love with others. When we understand that everything we have is a gift from God, we become more open, generous, and compassionate toward others. Gratitude to God transforms our hearts, making us more merciful, understanding, and attentive to the needs of those around us. Through thanksgiving, we discover within ourselves an endless source of love, which we can share and spread to those around us. Gratitude to the Lord is a path to spiritual growth, helping us draw closer to God and deepen our love for Him. To truly thank God, we must be open and aware of His presence and actions in our lives. Our gratitude should be sincere and come from the depths of our hearts. When we give thanks to God, we strengthen our faith and place our full trust in Him. A prayer of gratitude is not only a way to express love and appreciation for God’s blessings, but also a means to draw closer to Him. It allows us to recognize His presence in our lives, strengthen our connection with Him, and grow spiritually in love for God and others. Let us open our hearts and give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings He bestows upon us!

We pray fervently in gratitude to God on Sundays at 3:00, 9:00, 15:00 or 21:00 Moscow time.

Incorruptible King of the ages, who holds in his right hand all the paths of human life by the power of his saving Providence, we thank you for all your known and hidden blessings, for earthly life and for the heavenly joys of your future kingdom. Extend your mercies to us in the future, as we sing: Glory to you, O God, forever and ever. Amen.