Doing a gratitude challenge is a good way of reminding ourselves that God is good. Sometimes life can become so overwhelming that the good things get overshadowed and overlooked.
Over the last few years on the planet, the bad seems to crowd out the good. If we are not vigilant we can begin to forget that God is good.
As believers we have to wrestle our attention and mindset from the enemy. Being intentional about gratitude is one way of doing that.
Why do a gratitude challenge
The number one reason to be grateful is that it is God’s will. Paul says;
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)
Simply put, our gratitude makes God happy.
For the Christian, gratitude isn’t just about being grateful. It’s about being grateful to God.
Acknowledging that we have a maker who gives good gifts and is very present and involved in our lives. Our gratitude is grounded in this truth and directed towards someone and that someone is God who has several different names and several attributes.
So when we express gratitude, we do so to Him and nobody or nothing else.
How to be grateful
Gratitude doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Yes, even among believers it can be a tough business.
If gratitude is hard for you, take heart. It is actually something you can learn and cultivate over time.
Step 1: Gratitude starts with acknowledging that something good has happened. Good things come in different forms, shapes and sizes. Slow down and notice them. Each of these is an opportunity for gratitude.
(In the next section we will talk about what good things look like).
Step 2: Next, savor these good things. Reflect on them. Enjoy them. It’s perfectly safe to do so. It’s God’s will. I promise.
Step 3: Acknowledge that these good things have added value to your life. Think deeply about how you have benefited from these things and truly be appreciative.
Step 4: Express that appreciation to God and to others. Don’t just sit on what you are noticing and appreciating. Take action. Share it.
We can express gratitude in several ways. We say prayers, write journal entries, send text messages or letters, and perform acts of kindness.
The gratitude prompts in this 30 day challenge will naturally walk you through these steps.
Good things to be grateful for
If you struggle with gratitude or have never really thought deeply about gratitude, here are categories of good things to look for.
Categories of gratitude include;
- Things
- Events
- People
- Acts of gratitude
Things refer to: materials possessions (food, clothing, housing, music, technology), abstract ideas (love, joy, hope faith, kindness, forgiveness, growth), nature (sunset, ocean, rivers, sunshine, snow, flowers)
Events can be milestones, achievements, new adventures, experiences or opportunities, projects, programs, personal goals or just a significant moment.
The list could go on but you get the idea. Think about the birth of a baby, wedding, graduation, an award, new job, project completion, a party etc.
People refer to family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, professional associations like coworkers and bosses, neighbors. Often this category comes with acts of kindness we either receive from them or give to them.
30 days of gratitude challenge
I strongly believe everything we do should be grounded in Scripture to keep our minds fixed on things above.
Therefore, each day of this challenge comes with a Scripture or two to read.
Be sure to read the passages and pray before entering the gratitude exercise.
WARNING – This gratitude challenge might stretch you and take you out of your comfort zone, especially if gratitude is not a natural thing for you. But see how best you can submit to God’s will. His benefits are sure.
30 days of gratitude challenge prompts
Day 1: Psalm 19:1
Whether looking up at the night sky or walking around under the trees during the day, take a moment to pause and observe nature. What grabbed your attention? What are you grateful for? Write it down in a prayer to God.
Day 2: Deuteronomy 8:18
Think about your job or what you do to make money and acquire wealth. Think also about God’s role in it. What are you grateful for? Write it out in a prayer to God.
Day 3: Psalm 139:14
Look at your body. What does Scripture say about your body? What are you grateful for? Write out your gratitude starting with “I thank God that my body…”
Day 4: 3 John 1:2
Think about your physical health. What are you grateful for? Write a gratitude prayer to God.
Day 5: 3 John 1:2
Think about where you are in your spiritual life. How is your soul? What are you grateful for? Write a gratitude prayer to God.
Day 6: Romans 8:28
Think about a situation in your life that was unpleasant but later it turned out to be for good. What was that situation and what do you want to thank God for?
Day 7: Proverbs 20:12, Psalm 34:8
Think about your 5 senses. Which one or two are you most grateful for? Write a detailed prayer of Thanksgiving to God for this sense highlighting how blessed your life has been because you’re able to use this sense.
Day 8: Psalm 133:1-3
Think about your siblings (or someone who is like a sibling to you). What are you grateful for regarding them? Write a gratitude prayer to God for your siblings (or someone who is like a sibling to you). Feel free to share it with them.
Day 9: Romans 12:2
Reflect on your Christian journey. What major transformation have you experienced over the years? It could be a character flaw or sin you struggled with. In what ways are you different than when you first began? How is your life different? Describe how God accomplished that transformation in your life and thank Him for it. You can start with “Before I met Jesus, I used to be/struggle with XYZ. But now I…”.
Day 10: Philippians 4:18-19
Reflect on someone who has always gifted you things, whether well needed food and money or surprising gifts to celebrate milestones and special occasions.
First, pray for them, giving thanks for their ministry in your life. Then, take time to write them a letter highlighting their giving, how it affected you and expressing gratitude. Deliver the letter whether via email or regular snail mail.
Day 11: Lamentations 3:22-23
List 3 ways in which God has demonstrated his faithfulness towards you. They could be massive or minute. Pick one and write the short story of how God’s faithfulness is evident in this thing. End with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Feel free to share it with someone.
Day 12: 2 Thessalonians 1:3
Think of a friend who’s been in your life a long time and is supportive, always showing up. Call them or set up a video chat. Tell them why you are grateful for them. Highlight specific times in your life when you particularly benefited from your friendship and express gratitude for their presence in your life.
Day 13: 1 Corinthians 10:31, Psalms 136:25
Create a picture collage of foods you love and enjoy. Write a one sentence note on why you are grateful for each one. Share your collage with someone. Feel free to post it on social media.
Day 14: Colossians 3:15
Choose a public servant to appreciate. This could be the mailman, a police officer, firefighter or a garbage collector. Write them a note expressing how much their service means to you and thank them for what they do. Deliver it to them in person.
Day 15: Romans 15:4
List 3 of your favorite Bible characters. What lessons are you grateful to have learned from the account of their lives in Scripture?
Day 16: 1 Corinthians 1:4
Write a gratitude note to your pastor and/or ministry leader. Express how their ministry has impacted your spiritual growth. Include a bit of encouragement for them.
Day 17: Galatians 5:22-23
Think about your personality. What 3 specific traits have you grown to appreciate? Choose one. Why do you appreciate this trait? End with a one sentence prayer to God for this personality trait.
Day 18: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Which person was instrumental in shaping your character? Make a date to go for coffee or dinner or lunch or even a video call. It could be a parent, relative, family friend, church friend. Be prepared to tell them why you invited them. Either prepare a little speech or write a letter you will read to them.
Day 19: Psalm 23
What do you appreciate about your home and where you live? Be very specific about the features and characteristics you like, how they make you feel and how you are benefiting from them.
Day 20: Hebrews 13:15-16
Write a gratitude note to a customer service agent in a business place. Whether the cashier at Burger King, the teller at the bank, or mechanic. Observe something they did with excellence and express gratitude by writing them a note of gratitude. Make sure to be very specific about what you appreciate about their service.
Day 21: John 2:1-2
What event did you attend recently? What impact did it have on you? What are you grateful for when you think about that event?
Day 22: Colossians 2:7
What significant experiences helped to stretch and grow your faith in God? Detail why you are grateful for them or any one of them in particular.
Day 23: Philippians 4:6
Think about a difficult relationship in your life right now or one you have had. What are you grateful to be learning or have learned from it?
Day 24: Colossians 3:17
List 3 achievements in your life. Choose one and write why you are particularly grateful for it. End with a short written prayer of gratitude to God.
Day 25: Philippians 1:3
Reflect on a time when someone took the time to thank you for something. What did they thank you for? What does their expression of gratitude make you grateful for?
Day 26: Exodus 36:2, Romans 12:4-6
List 3 skills or talents you have. How have they been instrumental in your life? How have you been able to use them for the uplifting of others or some other benefit? Write a prayer of gratitude to God for these abilities and the opportunities to use them to bless others or your personal life.
Day 27: Philemon 1:4
Is there someone who took time to guide, mentor or coach you in your career and call? Think about that person. What are you grateful for? Write out a prayer for that person and send it to them. Be specific in highlighting exactly what you are thanking God for.
Day 28: Ecclesiastes 3:11
What is one blessing you waited for a good length of time? What lessons are you grateful to have learned during the wait? What kind of beauty has it added to your life for which you’re grateful?
Day 29: James 1:17
What is one surprising thing that has happened in your life? What about it makes you grateful? Why are you grateful for it? Write it down.
Day 30: Isaiah 12:4-5
Be quiet and think. What is one thing that you’ve taken for granted and have not been grateful for in a very long time. Write a journal entry starting with “I am grateful to God for…”.
Final words on 30-day gratitude challenge
I pray this challenge will be life-changing for you.
My hope is that it will draw you closer to God and the people in your life, renew your purpose and encourage you to keep going until we see the face of Jesus.
Do me one favor. Let me know how it goes.
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