Gratitude Faith Study Part Two

Gratitude Faith Study Part Two

Week two of our Faith Study at Bethany focused on the second section of Diana Butler Bass’ book Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks.

Summarizing that second section here are some gems to consider:

Butler Bass references an experience she had in a Pentecostal church when she was young. “From every direction flowed thanks—appreciation for miracles received, prayers answered, healings bestowed, financial provision, good weather, missionaries, children who spoke in tongues, the pastor’s recent sermon, and all who came to paint the new church.” In short the litany and list of thanksgiving offered to God was extensive. Butler Bass wondered how she might experience this in her own church, in her own language, within her own theology.

Butler Bass has realized that gratitude is not just an emotion, “it is a disposition that can be chosen and cultivated, an outlook toward life, that manifests itself in actions—it is an ethic.

One way to know that your daily discipline of acknowledging the gift, giving thanks, is effective is how it elicits a feeling of humility. Now only do we acknowledge the benefactor, we realize how blessed we are and thus feel the need to share what we have been given.

Some people practice the liturgy of the hours (more catholic and orthodox believers), others read a daily reading from the Bible (Canadian Bible Society) and still others have prayers for each day, like God is Still Speaking: 365 Daily Devotionals.

Other people use a gratitude journal where they fill in something they are grateful for on that given day. One such book is offered by Juanita Shay, One Million Gratitudes Exchange Movement: Raising Love and Communication on the Planet.

Some people write daily thank you cards.

Butler Bass encourages readers to look honestly at the past, what we are grateful for, seeing the event for what happened, happened to them, happened to others. We can be grateful and aware of the reality of the past.

A Poem by Harriet Kofalk

Awakening                                                                                                                            

in a moment of peace                                                                                                              

I give thanks                                                                                                                        

to the source of all peace

As I set forth                                                                                                                        

into the day                                                                                                                         

the birds sing                                                                                                                       

with new voices                                                                                                             

and I listen                                                                                                                         

with new ears                                                                                                                

and give thanks.

The Jesuits recommend a prayerful evening review of the day

1.    Become aware of God’s presence

2.    Review the day with gratitude.

3.    Pay attention to your emotions.

4.    Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.

5.    Look toward tomorrow.