21 Days of Fasting & Prayer Devotional – Day 11: Beginning with Gratitude

As we start the 21 days of prayer and fasting, it is important to begin with gratitude. Gratitude is simply the art of being thankful with the readiness to show appreciation to God. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!” Something powerful happens when you pray and fast with gratitude at the forefront. Expectancy begins to increase as you reflect on what God has done in your life, knowing that He has provided in the past and will do it again.

Psalm 77:11 says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” Take a few moments to reflect on a time when you were praying for a specific miracle in the past. Perhaps you were praying for a job opportunity or a financial breakthrough, and God answered those prayers supernaturally. Practice what the psalmist says in Psalm 143:5, “I meditate on all Your works and consider what Your hands have done.”

Beginning with gratitude leads you to remember what God has done. Know that He is faithful, and He loves you! Psalm 107:1 declares, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” Gratitude is not just a feeling but a state of mind, so continually remind yourself of what God has already done and continue to bring thankfulness and praise before God. As you spend time in prayer today, begin with gratitude and thanksgiving. Write down five things you are thanking God for, and use this list to build your faith concerning what you are believing God to do during this fast.

Scriptures

Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

Psalm 143:5 (NIV)
“I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.”

Psalm 77:11 (NIV)
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.”