Gratitude: Trusting God’s Timing, Way, and Power

Devotional

Day 1: God Hears Our Prayers and Invites Us to Faith

Even when prayers seem unanswered, God hears every cry and invites us to trust Him with the outcome. Faith is not about seeing immediate results but about believing that God is attentive and merciful, bending down to listen to our needs. In seasons of waiting or disappointment, gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to the assurance that God is present and working, even when we cannot see it. Let your prayers be filled with thankfulness, knowing that God’s timing and ways are perfect, and that He is always listening to the cries of His children. [02:50]

Psalm 116:1-2 (ESV)
I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Reflection: When was the last time you thanked God for simply listening to your prayers, even before you saw any answers? Take a moment today to express gratitude for His attentive presence in your life.

Day 2: Gratitude Lets God Answer in His Own Time

Gratitude opens our hearts to trust God’s timing, even when it feels like our prayers are delayed or forgotten. Zechariah and Elizabeth experienced years of longing and apparent silence, yet God had already heard their prayers and was working behind the scenes. Sometimes what feels like a dead end is actually a divine detour, where God is preparing something greater than we could imagine. In the waiting, gratitude keeps our hearts soft and expectant, reminding us that God’s timing is always for our good and His glory. [09:19]

Luke 1:5-13 (ESV)
In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel like God is silent or slow to answer? How can you practice gratitude today while you wait for His timing?

Day 3: Gratitude Lets God Answer in His Own Way

Gratitude surrenders control and allows God to answer our prayers in ways we may not expect or understand. Zechariah questioned how God’s promise could come to pass, while Mary responded with humble acceptance, “Be it unto me according to your word.” When we pray for others or for breakthrough, we may have our own ideas of how God should move, but true gratitude trusts that His ways are higher and better. Sometimes, God’s answers surprise us, and gratitude helps us recognize and celebrate His unique and creative work in our lives and the lives of those we love. [18:01]

Luke 1:34-38 (ESV)
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Reflection: Think of a prayer you’ve been holding onto—are you willing to let God answer it in His own way, even if it looks different than you expect? What would surrendering your expectations look like today?

Day 4: Gratitude Lets God Answer in His Own Power

When we grow impatient or try to force outcomes, we can miss the miraculous work God wants to do by His own power. Abraham and Sarah’s story reminds us that God’s promises are fulfilled not by human effort, but by His supernatural ability. Gratitude keeps us from taking matters into our own hands and instead positions us to witness God accomplish more than we could ask or imagine. Trusting in His power means believing that He is able, even when circumstances seem impossible, and giving Him the glory for every answered prayer. [22:56]

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Reflection: Where are you tempted to “help God out” or take control? How can you step back today and trust God’s power to work in your situation?

Day 5: Gratitude Lets God Answer for His Own Purpose

God’s answers to our prayers are always woven into a greater purpose that goes beyond our personal desires. What may begin as a longing or dream in our hearts is often part of a much larger story that impacts others and brings glory to God. Gratitude shifts our perspective from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, helping us see how our lives, gifts, and even our waiting can be used for His kingdom and the blessing of many. As we give thanks, we open ourselves to be part of God’s unfolding plan, trusting that His purpose is always bigger and better than our own. [25:56]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Can you identify a time when God’s answer to your prayer ended up blessing others or serving a greater purpose? How might God be inviting you to see your current situation through the lens of His bigger plan?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered to reflect on the profound connection between gratitude and prayer. We began by acknowledging the countless blessings God has poured into our lives, recognizing that we truly lack nothing in Christ. Our hearts’ posture before God is to be one of thankfulness, not just for what He has done, but for who He is—faithful, present, and attentive to our every cry. We explored how gratitude is not only the antidote to worry and the doorway to worship, but also a key that unlocks deeper faith in our prayer lives.

Drawing from Psalm 116, we saw that faith is rooted in the assurance that God hears us. Even when prayers seem unanswered or delayed, gratitude keeps our hearts open to God’s timing. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth reminded us that what feels like a dead end is often a divine detour. God’s answers may not come when or how we expect, but He is always working for our good and His greater purpose. The enemy, the accuser, seeks to sow doubt and slander God’s character in our waiting, but gratitude anchors us in trust, resisting those lies.

We also considered how God’s answers often come in ways we could never script. Zechariah’s doubt contrasted with Mary’s humble acceptance—“Be it unto me according to your word”—teaches us to surrender our expectations and let God move in His own way. Personal stories, like my own journey and my parents’ prayers for me, illustrated how God weaves together our prayers, even when the process is mysterious or slow.

Furthermore, we looked at Abraham and Sarah’s impatience and how taking matters into our own hands can complicate God’s promises. True gratitude allows us to rest in God’s power, believing He can do “infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ultimately, every answer to prayer is about God’s purpose, not just our desires. Whether it’s the birth of John the Baptist or the founding of a church or business, God’s plans are always bigger than our own.

As we closed, I encouraged everyone to bring their unanswered prayers before God with a grateful heart, trusting Him for His timing, His way, His power, and His purpose. May we leave with a renewed sense of faith, hope, and gratitude, knowing that God is always at work, even in the waiting.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude trusts God’s timing, not ours Gratitude enables us to wait patiently, believing that God hears every prayer and answers in the fullness of His perfect timing. Even when we feel forgotten or delayed, God is orchestrating something greater than we can see. Our faith grows as we surrender our timelines and rest in His sovereignty. [09:19]
2. Gratitude surrenders to God’s unique ways When we approach God with thankfulness, we release our need to control how He answers. Like Mary, we can say, “Be it unto me according to your word,” trusting that God’s methods are wiser and more creative than our own. This surrender opens us to unexpected blessings and deeper transformation. [18:01]
3. Gratitude relies on God’s power, not our own Impatience tempts us to force outcomes, but gratitude reminds us that only God can truly fulfill His promises. When we rest in His power, we experience peace and freedom from striving. God’s ability to do “infinitely more than we might ask or think” becomes real as we let go and let Him work. [22:56]
4. Gratitude aligns us with God’s greater purpose Our prayers often begin with personal desires, but God’s answers always serve a larger, kingdom purpose. Gratitude shifts our focus from ourselves to God’s unfolding story, helping us see how our lives and prayers fit into His redemptive plan. This perspective brings humility, joy, and a sense of partnership with God’s mission. [25:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:50] - The Blessing of Gratitude
[04:44] - Zechariah and Elizabeth’s Unanswered Prayers
[06:53] - God’s Promises and Our Doubts
[09:19] - Trusting God’s Timing
[12:17] - Using Life’s Circumstances for Growth
[18:01] - Letting God Answer in His Own Way
[20:14] - Personal Story: Answered Prayers Unexpectedly
[22:56] - God’s Power Versus Our Efforts
[25:56] - God’s Purpose in Answered Prayer
[30:00] - Testimony: Business and God’s Plan
[41:16] - Blessing and Invitation to Faith
[43:00] - Closing and Song of Gratitude

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Gratitude and Prayer

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### Bible Reading

Psalm 116:1-2 (ESV)
> I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Luke 1:5-20 (ESV)
> In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
> Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us...

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### Observation Questions

According to Psalm 116:1-2, what is the reason the psalmist says he loves the Lord?
In the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-20), what was their situation, and how did God respond to their prayers? [04:44]
How did Zechariah react to the angel’s message, and what was the consequence of his response? [06:53]
What does Ephesians 3:20 say about God’s ability to answer our prayers?

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### Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that God “inclines his ear” to us, and how does this shape our attitude in prayer? (Psalm 116:1-2)
Why do you think God sometimes delays answering our prayers, as seen in the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth? What might God be doing in the waiting? [09:19]
How does Zechariah’s doubt compare to Mary’s response to the angel? What can we learn from their different attitudes? [18:01]
The sermon mentioned that God’s answers are often bigger than our own desires. How does this perspective change the way we pray and wait for answers? [25:56]

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### Application Questions

The sermon said, “Gratitude lets God answer in his own time.” Is there a prayer you’ve been waiting on for a long time? How can you practice gratitude while you wait, instead of giving in to frustration or doubt? [09:19]
Zechariah and Elizabeth probably stopped praying for a child because it seemed impossible. Are there things you’ve stopped praying for because you lost hope? What would it look like to bring those requests back to God with a thankful heart? [09:19]
The story of Abraham and Sarah shows the problems that come from trying to “help” God fulfill his promises. Are there areas in your life where you’re tempted to take control instead of trusting God’s timing and power? What would it look like to surrender those areas? [22:56]
The sermon contrasted Zechariah’s doubt with Mary’s humble acceptance: “Be it unto me according to your word.” When have you struggled to accept God’s way of answering your prayers? How can you grow in surrender and trust? [18:01]
The pastor shared a personal story about his parents praying for him and how God answered in a way they never expected. Have you seen God answer a prayer in your life (or someone else’s) in a surprising or creative way? How did that impact your faith? [20:14]
The sermon said, “Gratitude aligns us with God’s greater purpose.” When you pray, do you focus more on your own desires or on God’s bigger plan? How can you shift your prayers to be more about God’s purpose? [25:56]
The enemy tries to sow doubt and slander God’s character in our waiting. What are some practical ways you can resist those lies and stay anchored in gratitude and trust? [09:19]

Sermon Clips

So this morning, I'm going to talk about gratitude and prayer. Gratitude and prayer. Psalm 116, verses 1 and 2. I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath. Man, that's a prayer of faith. I love the Lord because I know he hears my prayers, my cries for mercy. Knowing that he hears our prayers is an act of faith. [00:03:10] (32 seconds)

Sometimes unanswered prayers are simply delays. God has heard your prayers and he's answered them. You will have a son. The word heard in Greek is in a past tense sense where this has been a done deal in God's eyes ever since you've been calling out to me for it. It's a done deal. That's prayer of faith. That's you and I, Lord, you hear my prayer and I'm going to trust you with the outcome. I'm going to trust you. [00:10:08] (34 seconds)

The word heard in Greek is in a past tense sense where this has been a done deal in God's eyes ever since you've been calling out to me for it. It's a done deal. That's prayer of faith. That's you and I, Lord, you hear my prayer and I'm going to trust you with the outcome. I'm going to trust you. Sometimes unanswered prayer feels like a dead end. Anybody ever been there? Man, you just add a dead end. It's like, where do we go? But God does his best work in dead ends. [00:10:21] (33 seconds) #FaithInAnsweredPrayer

Sometimes unanswered prayer feels like a dead end. Anybody ever been there? Man, you just add a dead end. It's like, where do we go? But God does his best work in dead ends. He takes dead ends and he turns them into detours, into something even better than we could ever ask, think, or imagine. Unanswered prayer is a mystery, a painful mystery, right? Because the evil one wants to get in and tell us that we can't trust God. [00:10:41] (34 seconds)

Don't ever forget his name, the devil, Diablos means the slanderer. He is always slandering God to us. If God really loved you, you would have an answer to your prayer now. If God really loved you. So he slanders God to his children and then he slanders us as well. If you were really a Christian, you wouldn't have doubts. If you really loved God, then you wouldn't have done that, said that, etc. Don't ever forget, he's a slanderer and an accuser. [00:11:14] (36 seconds)

And I went back and hugged him and he said, I prayed with my home group that you would make music that glorified Jesus, that you would use your gifts and talents to glorify Jesus. And I saw the fulfillment of that prayer tonight. Blew my mind. Gratitude lets God answer in his own way. [00:22:07] (21 seconds)

Will you read this verse with me out loud? That's going to be up on the screen. It's Ephesians 3 20. Let's read this together. Now, all glory to God, who is able through his mighty power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. May we all truly believe that. [00:24:07] (26 seconds)

What would have happened if Novation didn't exist? Would that, God still would get it done, but it was a domino to cause more and more things to happen. This is all part of a domino effect of the relationships, the healings, the salvations, the baptism, and all of that. And God spoke to me one time on this very stage. And he said, he said, Scott, he said, I did put this dream in your heart and this vision, but it was never really just about you. And I received that. [00:26:42] (34 seconds)

The sovereign one, the God who is good and his love. May he make you aware of the blessings in your life. May he grant you a heart of faith, a heart of trust. May you have a bigger vision of who he is and then understanding who you are. May his peace go before you. May the God of breakthrough give you your breakthrough. [00:41:16] (36 seconds)

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