We are affirmed many times in the Bible, that prayer has to include our thanksgivings to God.
We don't really know how tp pray, but our loving Holy Spirit dwelling within us, does, and is always our link,
our direct connection to God. As a parent would soothe a child, God wants to hear
our honest prayers, and all our emotions we feel.

" Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words" Romans 8: 26

The Holy Spirit connects us to God, and stands for us, on our behalf during our prayers.
And, as He prompts us to pray, these prayers God will always answer.
Being filled with the Spirit in prayer, and allowing The Word (Bible) to dwell within us,
both begin with our thanksgiving to God, and to His Son Jesus.
Note these passages, and their common theme::

"Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,
as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves,
singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the
Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" Ephesians 5: 18-20

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called
in the one Body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach
and admonish one another in all wisdom, and with gratitude in your hearts sing
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" Colossians 3: 15-17

Ephesians instructs us to sing from our hearts, and to give thanks in all things to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians tells us how to do that, by allowing the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts (v 15), being
thankful, singing songs, hymns, and psalms with thankfulness from our hearts.
And further, Colossians tells us whatever we do in our daily lives, our normal living routines, work amd play,
we are to give thanks always. Prayer is certainly a daily part of our lives, thus prayer and thanksgiving go hand in hand.
How can we give thanks from our hearts for all things and pray with thanksgiving? Look at this passage:

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught,
abounding in thanksgiving." Colossians 2: 6-7

The passage gives us a very clear answer. We are to 'walk in' Jesus, not just receive Him, so we are able to live
and pray in thanksgiving and overflowing gratitude.
Note some examples from Paul of offering prayer with thanksgiving:

"I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason
I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers" Ephesians 1: 15-16

"I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one
of my prayers for all of you" Philippians 1: 3-4

"In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" Colossians 1: 3

"We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers.." 1 Thessalonians 1: 2

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings
be made for everyone" 1 Timothy 2: 1

"I am grateful to God-whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did-
when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day" 2 Timothy 1: 3

"When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God" Philemon 1: 4

Another example of prayer with thanksgiving comes to us from the Old Testamant in Psalm 95: 1-7.
Here again is singing, and shouts for joy within this text. Prayer with thanksgiving leads us to praise and
worship (vs 6-7) for all God created. Praise and worship with thanksgiving are essential for heartfelt prayer to be
honest, and do much to get the attention of our Father. Prayers said with true praise and worship, done in the
spirit of truth, are prayers God loves to hear. In praising God, we give thanksgiving for His divineness. From this, we
can experience His presence. Look at some more examples of text of praise and thanksgiving,
and the glory of God..

"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being".v 33
Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord! v 35 Psalm 104: 33,35

"The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork" Psalm 19: 1

And the following shows the relationship with our God and his children, how he cares for us.. "When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them? Psalm 8: 3-4

We have a living relationship constantly available to us with God. He is watching our hearts like
a loving father, so we can call to Him, from within, and He will hear. How comforting this is to us!
We can sit in His presence, not having to say anything, and He will know our hearts, our longings,
our hurts, and our needs. Then, we can get up, and go about doing other things, and still be
communicating from our spirits with God. We can have the living presence of God all the time, if we
desire Him. Our needs from the heart he always hears, as we pray continually through the day..

"pray without ceasing" I Thessalonians 5: 17








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