If you’re like most people, chances are a lot of your prayers go something like this, “Father, please help me get that job I want.” Or “Lord, please deliver my mom from her illness.” There’s a common theme in many of our prayers and that is telling God the things we need or want. And that’s fine! God wants to grant us the desires of our hearts. But in our Christian faith we need to be equally careful that requests do not become our only form of prayer.

In Philippians 4:6, Paul urges us,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Thanksgiving is the key word in this passage and a very important reminder. That’s why Thanksgiving is such an important holiday. It reminds us to be thankful for every blessing in the past year, and humbles us as the holiday season approaches. It’s entirely too easy to get caught up in the material aspect of the holidays which takes away from their intended foundation.

Remember that the Thanksgiving story goes back even further than the pilgrims and Native Americans giving thanks for the harvest. The story goes back two thousand years and gives meaning to our lives as Christians. As God’s creation, we were designed to be grateful. So as Thanksgiving approaches, let’s be thankful for our blessings - physical and spiritual - and most of all for his eternal gift of salvation through his son, Jesus.

As a Christian college, we are so thankful for the privilege of providing biblical education to men and women who will go on to be Godly leaders in their homes, careers, churches and communities.

The above scripture continues, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” - Philippians 4:7