Thanksgiving: should be offered in Private Worship
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Topical Encyclopedia
Thanksgiving, as an expression of gratitude to God, holds a significant place in the life of a believer. It is not only a communal act but also a deeply personal one, meant to be offered in private worship. The practice of giving thanks in solitude allows for an intimate communion with God, fostering a personal relationship that is both reflective and sincere.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous examples and exhortations for offering thanksgiving in private worship. In the Psalms, we find a rich tapestry of personal prayers and songs of gratitude. Psalm 92:1-2 declares, "It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning and Your faithfulness at night." This passage highlights the importance of daily, personal thanksgiving as a rhythm of life.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself exemplifies private thanksgiving. In Matthew 14:19 , before feeding the five thousand, "He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them." This act of blessing and giving thanks was a private moment between Jesus and the Father, even amidst a public setting, demonstrating the personal nature of thanksgiving.

Theological Significance

Thanksgiving in private worship is a recognition of God's sovereignty and goodness. It acknowledges His provision, grace, and mercy in the believer's life. Philippians 4:6 instructs, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This verse underscores the importance of incorporating thanksgiving into personal prayer, transforming anxiety into peace through gratitude.

Practical Application

Incorporating thanksgiving into private worship can take various forms. Believers are encouraged to set aside dedicated time for reflection and gratitude, whether through spoken prayer, journaling, or meditative silence. This practice not only honors God but also cultivates a heart of contentment and joy.

Colossians 3:17 further instructs, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." This comprehensive approach to thanksgiving suggests that every aspect of a believer's life, including private moments, should be infused with gratitude.

Spiritual Benefits

Offering thanksgiving in private worship enriches the believer's spiritual life. It deepens one's awareness of God's presence and activity, fostering a spirit of humility and dependence. As believers regularly engage in this practice, they are reminded of God's faithfulness and are encouraged to trust Him more fully.

In summary, thanksgiving in private worship is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, deeply rooted in Scripture and essential for spiritual growth. Through personal expressions of gratitude, believers draw nearer to God, acknowledging His goodness and cultivating a heart of worship.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... must be given to the peace-offerings of thanksgiving, which were ... wards off the
corruption of putrefaction: for sacrifices offered to God should be incorrupt ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

Christian Worship,
... any ornaments of the kind, lest they should fall into ... for this sacrament there was
a thanksgiving to God ... The congregation offered gifts of bread and wine, and ...
/.../chapter xviii christian worship.htm

Praises and Vows Accepted in Zion
... burnt offering was only to be offered there ... as a part of public worship, whereas
it should be second ... are you as diligent also in private thanksgiving and secret ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/praises and vows accepted in.htm

Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... And surely we should no less give thanks to our ... cleansed, nine out of every ten had
offered no genuine ... is very striking to notice how much thanksgiving had to ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 15 thanksgiving versus complaining.htm

The Worship of the Church. The Religion of the Primitive ...
... suggesting some fresh topics for thanksgiving, supplication, and ... the brethren that
intercessions should be made ... to the occasion, were offered with simplicity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the worship of.htm

A Practical Discourse on Some Principles of Hymn-Singing
... case, and may therefore have a wider field, yet we may begin by laying down that
JOY, PRAISE, and THANKSGIVING give us the ... They should be offered as pure ...
/.../a practical discourse on some.htm

Hymns of Praise and Worship.
... Its thanksgiving may have found tone among the earliest martyrs ... in poverty to a home
kindly offered him by ... Ia thousand hearts to give, Lord, they should all be ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter i hymns of praise.htm

Concerning Worship.
... end with a sweet sound of thanksgiving and praise. ... men pretending to be Christians,
it should be mentioned ... of profane and ungodly words; offered violence and ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

The Alarum
... so that we may remember to whom our praise is offered. ... With what earnestness of spirit
should we praise ... king; and if they came to present thanksgiving, it would ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the alarum.htm

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ...
... which was to be received with thanksgiving, the sacrifice ... be vain, since they cannot
be offered without a ... Should any one here obtrude concise sentences of the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 of the popish.htm

Resources
What should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.org

Why doesn't the Lord's Prayer include thanksgiving? shouldn't all our prayers include expressions of thankfulness? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different types of prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Thanksgiving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a Good Thing

Thanksgiving of Hypocrites, Full of Boasting

Thanksgiving: Anna

Thanksgiving: Christ Set an Example of

Thanksgiving: Commanded

Thanksgiving: Daniel

Thanksgiving: David

Thanksgiving: Expressed in Psalms

Thanksgiving: Jonah

Thanksgiving: Levites

Thanksgiving: Ministers Appointed to offer, in Public

Thanksgiving: Paul

Thanksgiving: Saints: Abound in the Faith With

Thanksgiving: Saints: Come Before God With

Thanksgiving: Saints: Exhorted To

Thanksgiving: Saints: Habitually offer

Thanksgiving: Saints: Magnify God By

Thanksgiving: Saints: Offer Sacrifices of

Thanksgiving: Saints: Resolved to offer

Thanksgiving: Saints: should Enter God's Gate With

Thanksgiving: should Always Accompany Praise

Thanksgiving: should Always Accompany Prayer

Thanksgiving: should be Accompanied by Intercession for Others

Thanksgiving: should be offered for all Men

Thanksgiving: should be offered for all Things

Thanksgiving: should be offered for Appointment to the Ministry

Thanksgiving: should be offered for Christ's Power and Reign

Thanksgiving: should be offered for Deliverance Through Christ from In-Dwelling Sin

Thanksgiving: should be offered for Faith Exhibited by Others

Thanksgiving: should be offered for Love Exhibited by Others

Thanksgiving: should be offered for the Conversion of Others

Thanksgiving: should be offered for the Gift of Christ

Thanksgiving: should be offered for the Goodness and Mercy of God

Thanksgiving: should be offered for the Grace Bestowed on Others

Thanksgiving: should be offered for the Nearness of God's Presence

Thanksgiving: should be offered for the Reception and Effectual Working of the Word of God

Thanksgiving: should be offered for the Supply of Our Bodily Wants

Thanksgiving: should be offered for the Triumph of the Gospel

Thanksgiving: should be offered for the Zeal Exhibited by Others

Thanksgiving: should be offered for Victory Over Death and the Grave

Thanksgiving: should be offered for Willingness to offer Our Property for God's Service

Thanksgiving: should be offered for Wisdom and Might

Thanksgiving: should be offered in Behalf of Ministers

Thanksgiving: should be offered in Everything

Thanksgiving: should be offered in Private Worship

Thanksgiving: should be offered in Public Worship

Thanksgiving: should be offered in the Name of Christ

Thanksgiving: should be offered: Always

Thanksgiving: should be offered: At the Remembrance of God's Holiness

Thanksgiving: should be offered: Before Taking Food

Thanksgiving: should be offered: Through Christ

Thanksgiving: should be offered: To Christ

Thanksgiving: should be offered: To God

Thanksgiving: should be offered: Upon the Completion of Great Undertakings

Thanksgiving: Simeon

Thanksgiving: The Heavenly Host Engaged In

Thanksgiving: The Wicked Averse To

Related Terms

Thank (68 Occurrences)

Thankfulness (7 Occurrences)

Redound (2 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Offers (35 Occurrences)

Yeast (48 Occurrences)

Leavened (16 Occurrences)

Gratitude (6 Occurrences)

Wafers (6 Occurrences)

Fried (3 Occurrences)

Therein (269 Occurrences)

Thankful (15 Occurrences)

Expression (17 Occurrences)

Mattani'ah (16 Occurrences)

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)

Cup (86 Occurrences)

Created (55 Occurrences)

Abounding (28 Occurrences)

Sakes (35 Occurrences)

Soaked (7 Occurrences)

Saturated (3 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Associates (26 Occurrences)

Thanks (151 Occurrences)

Stirred (64 Occurrences)

Flour (69 Occurrences)

Joyfully (37 Occurrences)

Publish (22 Occurrences)

Mattaniah (16 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Mingled (62 Occurrences)

Unleavened (51 Occurrences)

Eucharist

Joyful (83 Occurrences)

Supper (17 Occurrences)

Mixed (96 Occurrences)

Thanksgivings (6 Occurrences)

Asaph (47 Occurrences)

Oblation (208 Occurrences)

Aloud (141 Occurrences)

Anointed (132 Occurrences)

Subapostolic

Sub-apostolic

Singing (65 Occurrences)

Peace-offerings (82 Occurrences)

Prayer (406 Occurrences)

Shout (114 Occurrences)

Brings (155 Occurrences)

Spread (257 Occurrences)

Multiplied (109 Occurrences)

Rejoicing (90 Occurrences)

Gladness (83 Occurrences)

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)

Blessing (357 Occurrences)

Songs (100 Occurrences)

Kad'mi-el (8 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

Unwashen (3 Occurrences)

Unreservedly (1 Occurrence)

Overflow (43 Occurrences)

Overflowing (54 Occurrences)

Over-anxious (6 Occurrences)

Jeduthun (15 Occurrences)

Jedu'thun (11 Occurrences)

Liketh (3 Occurrences)

Lip (20 Occurrences)

Labouring (18 Occurrences)

Liberality (7 Occurrences)

Generosity (6 Occurrences)

Glorifies (3 Occurrences)

Gratefully (1 Occurrence)

Galal (3 Occurrences)

Generous (17 Occurrences)

Wondrous (41 Occurrences)

Worketh (49 Occurrences)

Watchful (17 Occurrences)

Wastelands (4 Occurrences)

Insignificant (9 Occurrences)

Thanksgiving: should be offered in Everything
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